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Wimberly graduates from Youth Challenge
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Cudray J. Wimberly of Springfield was among 214 cadets graduating from the Georgia National Guard’s Youth Challenge Academy at Fort Gordon on Saturday at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta.

Wimberly completed the 22-week, in-residence program where cadets learn self-discipline, leadership, and responsibility together with completing necessary academic requirements to earn a GED, or high school diploma.

Youth Challenge operates two campuses in Georgia. The original campus is located at Fort Stewart and opened in 1993. The second campus opened at Fort Gordon, near Augusta, in 2000.  

Together both campuses have graduated more than 9,950 formerly ‘at risk’ students. Each year more than 1,200 students apply for one of the four programs running concurrently at both Georgia campuses.

Applicants to Youth Challenge must be from 16-18 years old, a high school dropout or expelled, drug free, have no felony convictions, and have a strong desire to change the course of their lives.

Brig. Gen. Robert L. Shannon, vice commander and chief of staff of the Georgia Air National Guard, was the commencement speaker.

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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