Elimination round reduces field trying for scholarships

Lydia Hicks had been entered in the Make Kids Count contest once before, but she was nowhere near as lucky as she has been this time.

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"I have a better chance at winning the $10,000 now," said the 9-year-old from Beech Island. "I was one of 700 or so, and now I'm one of two."

Lydia and Jesstin Chandler, of Evans, advanced to the final round in the contest during an elimination drawing Friday at Partners in Achievement in Martinez.

The final drawing, which will be held March 12 during the Augusta Lynx game, will award one of them with a $10,000 scholarship bond and the runner-up with a $5,000 scholarship bond.

Lydia said that she couldn't wait to make some important calls.

"I'm going to call my grandmother, my teacher and my principal and let them know I made it to the final drawing," said the Redcliffe Elementary student.

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 Partners in Achievement, Ashley Furniture Home Store, Champion Windows, Knology and Platt's Funeral Home.

Entry forms are now being accepted for the 13- to 18-year-old category. Forms will appear throughout March in The Chronicle , or they may be accessed at www.makekid scountcsra.com. The deadline is March 28.

For more information on the Make Kids Count contest, visit http://www.makekidscountcsra.com.