Morgan Rushing and Sophie Usher are among 10 students statewide to receive a 2015 Georgia Farm Bureau Scholarship for Agriculture.
Rushing, a 2015 graduate of South Effingham High School, is the daughter of Pat and Suzanne Rushing of Guyton. Usher, a 2015 graduate of Effingham County High School, is the daughter of Timothy and Holly Usher of Clyo. Both were among the seven students statewide to receive a $750 scholarship each. An additional three students received scholarships of $3,000 each.

The scholarships, intended to recognize and assist deserving and outstanding young people pursuing college degrees in agriculture and related fields, are for students who plan to enroll in a unit of the University System of Georgia or Berry College for the 2014-15 academic year.

“Based on the quality applications Georgia Farm Bureau received for our scholarship program, I’m confident in saying the future of Georgia agriculture looks bright. Our judges had a tough time selecting the top ten finalists and top three scholarship recipients from the 143 outstanding applications we received,” said GFB president Zippy Duvall. “These students are the future leaders of Georgia agriculture, and Georgia Farm Bureau is glad to help them prepare for this role by offering these scholarships.”

Rushing plans to enter the University of Georgia this fall and pursue a degree in animal science. She has been a member of the SEHS FFA since 2011 during which time she has served as her chapter president, secretary and reporter. She has been a member of the SEHA FFA show team showing goats and pigs. Rushing also competed on the SEHS junior poultry judging team and FFA nursery/landscaping team.

In addition to being an active FFA member, Rushing has been a member of the National Beta Club since 2011 and currently serves as president. She is also president of the SEHS Interact Club and competed on the SEHS varsity cross country, tennis and coccer teams. She was a 2014 participant in the Governors Honors Program and is an active member of the Southside Baptist Church.

Usher plans to attend the University of Georgia this fall to major in avian biology. She has been a member of the Effingham County 4-H Club since 2011 holding the offices of secretary and vice president.

Usher became a Master 4-Her by winning the state competition in the Companion Animals Division in 2014. She is also an active FFA member and has served as historian and reporter for the ECHS Chapter. She attended the Governors Honors Program in 2014 as an agriculture science and biotechnology major.

In addition to her 4-H and FFA activities, Usher has served on the ECHS yearbook staff since her freshman year and is editor of the 2014-15 issue. She has served on the ECHS Student Council since 2011 and as class secretary for the past four years. Usher is also a member of the ECHS Calculus Club.