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Effingham 4-Hers take a slice out of Spam challenge
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The winners of the Spam carving challenge Payton Mercer, Becca Velasquez, Macy Morgan and Stone Kessler - show off their winning creation, a ninja turtle. - photo by Photo provided

4-H’ers in grades six through 12 gathered at the Effingham County Extension Office for their monthly 4-H club meeting, only to discover a very unusual activity awaiting them, a Spam carving challenge.

Students were instructed to create something using the materials in front of them, which consisted of a plastic knife and a can of Spam. They were presented with a task, but not given detailed instructions or criteria for their creation.

Through the activity, students learned problem solving skills, creative thinking, identified obstacles, and learned how to manage conflict. Students appreciated the challenge of working within a team of individuals.

Effingham School Board Approves $203M budget with Potential Property Tax Increase
2026 budget
This chart illustrates how the Effingham County School District’s $203 million general fund is allocated for fiscal year 2026, including spending on salaries, benefits, transportation, health services, and safety and security. (Courtesy of Effingham School District)
The Effingham County Board of Education approved a $203 million fiscal year 2026 budget Thursday night, reflecting an 11% increase over last year. The rise is largely due to an $8 million spike in health and retirement benefit costs for employees. To help cover the shortfall, the district may raise the property tax millage rate, potentially increasing homeowners’ taxes by up to 12 percent.
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