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Students put on a show at SEHS
guitar group 1
The best band award went to D.J. and the Funky Bunch, consisting of guitarist and vocalist D.J. Medders, right, guitarist Jay Callaway and Matthew Grant on the cajon. - photo by Photo by Paul Floeckher

Sixteen acts, including vocalists, musicians and dancers, performed Saturday night in South Effingham High School’s annual talent show.

The band Blackie Oakwood and the Classy San Diegans won first place for their performance of Jimi Hendrix’s “Come On (Let the Good Times Roll).” The band members are keyboardist and vocalist Kate Freeman, bassist Parker Gordy, drummer Colton Guidotti, saxophonist Garrett Harvey and guitarist Dallas McCorkendale.

Hailey Crawford finished in second place with her tap dance to “At Last.”

India Nelson took third place. She sang “Think of Me” from “Phantom of the Opera” in three languages — French, Italian and English.

The trio of Tamia White, Dacia Maffett and Trinity Rose, going by the name TDT, won the audience choice award.

Other winners in the SEHS talent show were:

Best band — D.J. and the Funky Bunch, consisting of guitarist and vocalist D.J. Medders, guitarist Jay Callaway and Matthew Grant on the cajon.

Best dance act — Undergound, Inc., a trio of Jordan Boomgaarden, Amber Clark and Elvin Brown.

Best vocal — Mallory Sucher.

To see more photos, click the "Community" tab on www.effinghamherald.net.

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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