During the month of October, REACH Scholars and their parents/guardians in school systems across Georgia will be signing contracts, committing to satisfying the program requirements, graduating from high school, and enrolling and completing college.
In Glynn County, five scholars will be recognized at the Glynn County REACH Scholarship Ceremony next month. They are: Daniela Iturbide-Malone (Glynn Middle School), Brielle Curry (Jane Macon Middle School), Chelsea Wright and Kenny Anderson (Needwood Middle School), and Christopher Green (Risley Middle School).
REACH, or Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen, is a need-based mentorship and scholarship program designed to promote academic success and provide access to higher education opportunities for Georgia’s low-income, academically promising students.
REACH Georgia is the State of Georgia’s first needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program. The mission is to ensure that Georgia’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, and achieve postsecondary success.
Beginning in the 8th grade and through high school, REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor and an academic coach. Scholars must maintain good grades (2.5 GPA), behavior and attendance. Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded a $10,000 scholarship ($2,500/year) that can be used at a University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, or eligible private postsecondary institution. The scholarship is in addition to any other grant or scholarship the student receives.
The program was started in 2012 with five school districts — Rabun, Douglas, Dodge, Quitman and Bulloch — and 35 scholars. To date, more than 130 school districts across Georgia participate in the REACH Scholarship each year. By the end of October, 1,800 REACH Scholars will be signed on to the program in Georgia.
To learn more about the REACH Program, visit www.reachga.org.