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Two Sumter County High School student-athletes, Willie Burts and Chris Ingram, have both been awarded the Josh Daniel Willis Student-Athlete Scholarship for the 2024 school year.

Started by Dr. Michael Busman back in 2008, the Josh Daniel Willis Student-Athlete Scholarship is given to a student-athlete who demonstrates academic achievement, extra curricular participation and community service. The deserving student-athlete must also submit an essay on a student-athlete-related topic.

The scholarship is named after Josh Daniel Willis, the son of Carl and Karen Willis, who was a long snapper at the University of Georgia. Willis was killed in an automobile accident back in 2008.

Burts, who graduated as the salutatorian, was on the Sumter County High School Tennis Team and the swimming team. He was also a band manager and was a member of the Sumter County High School Math Team. Burts will be attending Georgia Southwestern State University this fall. Ingram graduated as the valedictorian and will be attending the University of Georgia this fall. He was on the tennis and swimming teams, as well as a band manager.