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SEMS cheerleaders capture second straight region title
SEMS Cheer Picture
Members of the South Effingham Middle School cheerleading team are, front row, left to right: Emily Eddy, Kate Brennan, Naomi Parker, Miriam Coon, Emma Wheeler, Kourtney Harrelson, Alaina Ricker and Brooke Donovan; middle row: Kelly Shuman, Rachael Jones, Kayla Harrelson and Hannah McCann; back row: Coach Ray Tater Mills, Coach Courtney Hall, Chloe Phillips, Haley Johnson, Elizabeth Kicklighter, Emily Butler, Sarah Jones, Madeline Luther, Victoria Farrar and Coach Ashley McVey. - photo by Photo provided

The South Effingham Middle School competition cheerleaders won the region title for the second consecutive year, capturing the Coastal Empire Region Championship at Effingham County Middle School on Nov. 1.


The region championship capped a stellar season for the squad. In October, the SEMS competition cheerleaders traveled to Atlanta to compete in the Peachtree Ridge Invitational and took first place in the middle school division.


The team also took first place in the middle school division of Statesboro’s Battle of the Boro and Screven County Middle School’s Gamecock Challenge held at Georgia Southern University. They finished second at the Toombs County Invitational.


The South Effingham Middle School competition squad is coached by Ashley McVey, Ray “Tater” Mills and Courtney Hall.

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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