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UDC chapter awards winners in essay contest
0518 UDC essay winners
From left to right are: Carolyn Pevey, chapter essay chairman; Abigail Morris, first place, fifth grade; Kesley Woodward, second place, 12th grade; Taylor May, first place, 12th grade; Maryanne Whatley, UDC president; and Abigail Henry, second place, fifth grade. Not pictured is Morgan Yarberry, third place, fifth grade. - photo by Photo provided
Staff Report
Updated: May 17, 2012, 11:00 PM
Published: May 17, 2012, 11:03 PM

Each year the United Daughters of the Confederacy sponsors an historical essay contest. The essay contest is offered to all students in grades fifth through 12th. The topic of this year’s essay was "Robert E. Lee and his leadership at Appomattox."

There were 89 fifth-graders and two 12th-graders who participated. Fifth-grade winners were: first place, Abigail Morris, South Effingham Elementary; second place, Abigail Henry, Ebenezer Elementary; and third place, Morgan Yarberry, South Effingham Elementary. The 12th-grade winners were: first place, Taylor May, Effingham County High; and second place, Kelsey Woodward, Effingham County High. First-place essays have been sent to the UDC district division for competition. Winners of the essay contest read their winning entries at the April 24 UDC meeting, where they received their monetary prize and certificate of competition.

Each student also received a token for a free mini blizzard at the Rincon Dairy Queen.
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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