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The Oconeefest scholarship fundraiser returns for its 12th year from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 on the front lawn at the University of North Georgia's (sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú) Oconee Campus. This annual event will raise money for a pair of scholarships:

• Oconee County Resident Scholarship: $1,000 renewable annual scholarship awarded to Oconee County residents who are incoming freshmen. sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú awarded five this year.
• Oconee Annual Scholarship: $1,000 renewable scholarship awarded to current students who continue their education at another sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú campus after starting on the Oconee Campus. sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú awarded two this year.

The scholarships help students gain momentum toward their careers. Eavan Clayton, a freshman from Watkinsville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in psychology, said she was excited to start her time as a college student at the Oconee Campus after taking dual enrollment courses with sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú.

"It's a great option for me because I'm able to stay at home and save money," Clayton said. "The campus is close, and everything is so convenient. The professors are great."

Her goal is to eventually study speech pathology and become a children's speech therapist.

Clayton earned the Oconee County Resident Scholarship and the Dual Enrollment Scholarship, which is awarded to students who enroll at sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú after taking dual enrollment courses at the university.

"It was incredibly helpful because all of my schooling this year was paid for," Clayton said. "I can focus on my academics, and I have access to everything I need. It gave me a good opportunity to get my foot in the door without the stress of the financial burden."

Admission to Oconeefest is free, and donations of any amount are welcome.

Peach State Federal Credit Union and Georgia Power are the presenting sponsors of Oconeefest.

The event will include food and raffle items donated by local, regional and national businesses, chambers of commerce, faculty and staff, and the many friends of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú's Oconee Campus. Food and drink vendors include Holy Crepe, Funky Funnel Cakes, Jojo's Gourmet Lemonade, Biggum’s BBQ, and South Main Brewing.

"My favorite part is watching the whole surrounding community come together for this cause. What they're really doing is showing how they love sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½¹ÙÍøÍøÒ³Èë¿Ú Oconee," Russell Willis, executive director of the Oconee Campus, said. "The outpouring of love and support for this campus and our students is on full display during Oconeefest."

Haynes Enterprises is a Gold Sponsor. Oconee Collision is a Platinum Sponsor. Allied Paving, Piedmont Athens Regional and Rotary Club of Oconee are Silver Sponsors. BankSouth, Chad Day, Chastain and Associates, Dustin Chitwood, Evergreen Nursery, Frank and Rosemary Stancil, John Quackenbush, Laura Ng, and Oconee State Bank are Friend Sponsors.

Anyone who wishes to donate to the Oconee scholarships but is unable to attend the event may donate on the .