Carly Garrison was surprised to hear her name called Friday as one of 32 area children who have advanced in the Make Kids Count scholarship contest's 9- to 12-year-old category.
"I didn't think my name would get drawn," said the 9-year-old from Evans.
Her parents, Kim and Frank Garrison, said they feel lucky.
"We have entered our children every year, but this is the first time we have gone this far," Mrs. Garrison said.
Now that Carly has made it to the next round, her parents are anxious to see just how far she can go.
"We're excited! Ten thousand dollars can go a long way in paying for college," Mrs. Garrison said.
The following children also have advanced in the contest: Houston Barbee, Grovetown; Grant Blume, Martinez; Julie Brunson, North Augusta; Courtney Byrd, Evans; Tannor Byrd, Edgefield, S.C.; Hannah Cain, North Augusta; Joshua Carroll, Hephzibah; Jesstin Chandler, Evans; Hunter Chavis, Augusta; Chandler Cooper, Evans; Zee Everitt, Martinez; Jacob Fowler, Gibson, Ga.; Damien Hall, Hephzibah; William Hardy, Graniteville; Lydia Hicks, Beech Island; Danielle Kronowski, Martinez; Olivia Martin, Augusta; Gage McIntosh, North Augusta; Jamie McVay, Evans; Stephen Milligan, Augusta; Jacob Nelson, North Augusta; Charles "Evan" Perryman III, Martinez; Corey Pogue, Appling; Josef Reston, Augusta; Bailey Rhodes, Evans; Shayne Rimer, North Augusta; Nick Sandlin, Evans; Amber Smith, Hephzibah; Samantha Stewart, Evans; Seth Torek, Waynesboro, Ga.; and LiYahl Washington, Augusta.
In the past five years, The Augusta Chronicle and its sponsors have distributed more than $340,000 in scholarship bonds to area children. Sponsors for the contest are Ashley Furniture Home Store, Champion Windows, Knology, Partners In Achievement and Platt's Funeral Home.
The next Make Kids Count drawing will take place at noon, Jan. 19 during the Wrangler Family Fun Fest at James Brown Arena, 601 Seventh St.
Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.
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