There was no shortage of smiles during the latest elimination drawing in the Make Kids Count contest's 9- to 12-year-old category, which took the number of contestants from 16 down to eight.
"There's no reason to be sad if you don't advance. You are all winners here today," Sarah Childers, The Augusta Chronicle's community relations manager, told children and parents Friday at Ashley Furniture Home Store.
The eight children who were eliminated each won a $100 scholarship bond, while the eight who advanced are one step closer to the $10,000 scholarship bond.
Lydia Hicks, 9, and Samantha Stewart, 11, both of whom advanced, were excited about the possibility of winning the top prize.
"I'm glad to be able to get a good education," Lydia said, adding that the money will help with college costs.
"It's really exciting being in the drawing. Just to win $100 is exciting," Samantha said.
Also advancing are: Jesstin Chandler, Evans; Chandler Cooper, Evans; Olivia Martin, Augusta; Jacob Nelson, North Augusta; Charles "Evan" Perryman III, Martinez; 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 of the contest are Ashley Furniture Home Store, Champion Windows, Knology, Partners in Achievement and Platt's Funeral Home.
Reach Nikasha Dicks at (706) 823-3336 or nikasha.dicks@augustachronicle.com.
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