There was a sense of excitement and awe Friday morning at Susan E. Wagner High School.

"What we have here is like a dream come true,” said Assistant Principal of Performing Arts Paul Corn. “We almost don't believe it except we're standing in it."

The multi-million dollar state-of-the-art performing arts center officially opened with a ribbon cutting attended by several elected officials.

"I never dreamed that this would be the culminating of my years in teaching," said Performing Arts Coordinator Diane Zerega. "There's an aura of wow! There's a wow factor."

Zerega is one of many who pushed for this center. She's seen the positive impact a performing arts program can have on student's lives. A few of her former students came for the ceremony.

"Tom is teaching now. Matt's doing films. Many of them are continuing," said Zerega.

Plans for the center have been in the works for more than 4 years. Support for the center poured in from many in the community.

"If we really want to steer kids away from the bad road in life, you know one of the great things is performing arts. For a lot of kids that is their salvation," said Staten Island Deputy Borough President Edward Burke.

Borough Hall says this performing arts center also helps solve the issues of overcrowding at Wagner High School.

“Now we're in a classroom that has double the amount of space," said Zerega.

The center adds more than 200 classroom seats for students. It features a black box theater, a dance studio and four new classrooms for theater, music and stage craft/carpentry student. Students can also hone their talent in several practice rooms.

Borough President James Oddo left the students with a message.

"Use this room,” said Oddo. “Congratulations, continue to follow your passions."