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Kight wins Rotary speech contest
group
Pictured are speech contestants, left to right, Darius Scott, Hannah Berry, Brian Nicolaus, Nathan Crager, Grant Killion, Bob Greenbaum, Darius Goldwire and Rebecca Kight. Not pictured: Annah Shearouse. - photo by Photo provided
Staff Report
Updated: Mar 10, 2015, 11:36 PM
Published: Mar 10, 2015, 11:47 PM

South Effingham High School junior Rebecca Kight won the annual Rotary Club speech contest, held March 3 at New Ebenezer Retreat Center.

The contest is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Effingham Sunrise and the Rotary Club of Effingham. Kight was awarded $200.

Darius Scott, a freshman at SEHS, finished second and received $150. Nathan Crager, a sophomore at Effingham County High School, took third place and $100. Brian Nicolaus, an ECHS senior, finished in fourth place and received $50.

Students were judged on appearance, speech content, presentation and time. The speech contest is funded through the annual Rotary Club golf tournament, which was held in September 2014.
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)
Updated: Jun 20, 2025, 1:18 PM
Published: Jun 20, 2025, 12:51 PM
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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