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Rotary speech winners
0401 rotaryspeech winners
Above are Quinones, Contreras, Lariscy and Bob Olliff, zone coordinator for the competition. - photo by Photo provided

The Rotary Coastal Zone High School Speech Competition for Rotary District 6920 took place March 26. Emily Woods, Donald Quinones and Michaela Lariscy represented the Rotary Clubs of Effingham County.

Michaela Lariscy of South Effingham High School placed first. Alex Contreras of Claxton High School was second and Donald Quinones of South Effingham High School was third.

A senior at SEHS, Lariscy placed first for her speech based on this year’s Rotary theme, “Building Communities - Building Continents.” She will receive a $1,000 scholarship after she presents her speech again at the District Rotary Conference in May. Quinones, a sophomore at SEHS, placed third with his speech based on the Rotary Club’s “Four-Way Test.”

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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