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EMS student wins DNR contest
Jayde Haas
Jayde Haas, an Ebenezer Middle student, was a statewide winner in the River of Words Environmental Poetry and Art Project. - photo by Photo provided

Jayde Haas, a seventh grader at Ebenezer Middle School has been named a state winner in the River of Words Environmental Poetry and Art Project, offered by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division.

Haas’ work was selected out of 3,160 entries, making judging very difficult this year. Contest co-founders Robert Haas, U.S. poet laureate, and Pamela Michael, executive director, and illustrator Thacher Hurd said that the quality of work submitted this year was very high.  The project was designed to showcase the state’s efforts to protect and take care of water resources in Georgia.

Marsha Lott, Haas’ art teacher at Ebenezer Middle School, said she was very proud of her art project.

“Jayde’s artwork was a realistic pencil drawing of raindrops falling onto an oak leaf. She also recently received a full SCAD scholarship to attend ARTSMART Camp at Savannah Arts Academy this summer,” Lott said.

Eighteen students submitted entries in the River of Words competition and were recognized for their participation. Haas’ artwork will be on display beginning in July on the Web site www.gaprojectwet.org.

Other students participating with art projects were: Minakshy Rawl, Melanie Kessler, Michelle Pratt, Jessica Wells and Travis Smoak. Students participating with poetry were: Cara Sanderson, Timothy Cody, Travis Smoak, Peter Waltz, William Burnsed, Kelsey Wilson, Michelle Pratt, Minakshy Rawl, Tatiana Jorge, Whitney Kelton, Cameron Hill and Melanie Kessler.

Haas’ work along with the other winners will travel to schools, libraries, nature centers, conferences, parks, science centers, and government buildings for one year in the “Georgia River of Words Exhibition.”

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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