Five Bartow County students earn the opportunity to attend a Georgia college, university, or technical school nearly cost-free upon graduation and completion of the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program!
The 2023 REACH Georgia Scholars are Raelyn Hartage and Madeline Ward from Adairsville Middle School, Eliel Espinoza Resendiz from Cass Middle School, Heidi Lozano from Red Top Middle School, and Madex Baca from Woodland Middle School. This seventh cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars officially signed their commitment letters today at the Bartow County College and Career Academy in front of school leaders, board members, and area representatives.
The REACH Georgia Scholars were nominated by their counselors and teachers in the spring of their seventh-grade year, based on grades, attendance, and behavior. After completing the application, students were interviewed, and then selected to join 29 other REACH Georgia Scholars already admitted into the program.
Through REACH Georgia, students are given academic and social support to ensure they graduate from high school and attain a college degree or certificate. Part of this support includes pairing each scholar with a mentor.
“Every year, the middle schools present a great group of candidates, and this year was no exception,” said REACH Georgia Coordinator Kristy Mitchell. “What impressed me the most, though, was their thoughtfulness and character. They wished each other luck before the interview and complimented each other on their responses. This is a very deserving group of young adults and I look forward to getting to know them better as they move through school.”
Upon successful program completion, students earn a $10,000 scholarship. Certain schools will match or even double match the scholarship, increasing the amount they can earn to $30,000. Students can also qualify for other scholarships.
The 11-year-old program serves more than 4,300 scholars in all 180 school systems in the state.