Following high school careers as campus leaders and role models for their fellow students, two class of 2012 graduates from Effingham County have received leadership scholarships from Comcast.

Brooke Johnson of Effingham County High School and Andrew Rushing of South Effingham High School are two of only 83 Georgia recipients this year of the 2012 Leaders and Achievers Scholarship awarded by the Comcast Foundation.

“Comcast is delighted again to award scholarships to Georgia’s best and brightest high school seniors who exemplify what it means to be a leader,” said Andy Macke, vice president of government and community affairs for Comcast’s Big South region. “We fully believe these 83 individuals have the necessary skills, talents and work ethic to accomplish incredible feats and become the next generation of movers and shakers across the business, government and nonprofit fields.”

Representing 53 different cities across the state, the 2012 Georgia Leaders and Achievers recipients were honored during a celebration at Turner Field prior to the June 15 Atlanta Braves game. The ceremony included remarks from Georgia Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and appearances by numerous state and local elected officials.

“On behalf of the state of Georgia, I’m proud to congratulate our 83 Leaders and Achievers scholarship recipients on displaying the dedication to academic success and community involvement that sets them apart from their peers,” said Cagle. “I wish all of the scholars the best of luck as they prepare to further their education and training this fall, and I thank Comcast for their continued support of Georgia’s students.”

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program provides one-time $1,000 scholarships to students who strive to achieve their potential, are catalysts for positive change in their communities, are involved in their schools and serve as models for their fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give young people every opportunity to be prepared for the future, to engage youth in their communities, and to demonstrate the importance of civic involvement and the value placed on civic involvement by the business community.