The hard work has finally paid off for the Richmond Hill High School class of 2012.

Guidance counselor Thomas Swinford announced to a crowd of more than 200 at Tuesday’s Honors Night ceremony that the graduating class has been awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarship funds.

“You’ve got a lot to be proud of,” he told seniors and their parents. “Richmond Hill has a lot to be proud of.”

In addition to funds awarded to students by college financial aid programs, 17 scholarships — like the Capt. Matthew Freeman Memorial Scholarship, Katie Brookshire Memorial Scholarship and Richmond Hill Lions Club Scholarship — were given to outstanding seniors.

Senior Sandip Minhas was named class valedictorian at the ceremony. She was also awarded a University of Georgia Foundation Fellowship, the Exchange Club Student of the Year Award and a number of subject awards, including advanced placement government and advanced placement United States history.

According to Swinford, the sum of her scholarship offers was $87,288.

Read more in the May 12 edition of the News.