The Bartow County School System celebrated a pair of milestones Tuesday as it welcomed its 10th cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars and selected its largest class to date. Ten middle school students officially signed their commitment letters, taking the first step toward a college, university, or technical college education that could be nearly cost-free.

The 2026 REACH Georgia Scholars are Phoebe Dustin and Lucas Garland of Adairsville Middle School; Josh Lopez-Ibarra, Jaslyne Thompson, and Akaari Martin of Cass Middle School; Jacob Mondragon, Alexa Nambo, and Chanell Zamarripa of Red Top Middle School; and Coltin Donner and Jaxson Patmon of Woodland Middle School.

For the first time, the district was able to select 10 students instead of the traditional five. Students are nominated in the spring of their seventh-grade year by counselors and teachers based on academic performance, attendance, and behavior. After completing an application process that includes interviews, they are selected to join nearly 45 other Bartow County students already participating in the program.

REACH Georgia provides academic and social support to help scholars graduate from high school and pursue a college degree or technical certificate. Each student is paired with a mentor to guide them along the way.

"This year's scholars left a lasting impression on our selection committee,” said Program Coordinator Kristy Mitchell. “Although they were competing for the same opportunity, they cheered each other on, celebrated each other's comments, and showed a level of character and encouragement that was remarkable to see. They bring a wide range of talents and interests, from piano, baking, and storytelling to 4-H, soccer, computers, and automotive technology. More importantly, they share a desire to make a difference. Again and again, these students talked about how they can help others, strengthen their communities, and bring more joy and positivity to the people around them. That's what makes this group so special."

Upon successful completion of the program, each scholar receives a $10,000 scholarship. Some colleges match or even double that amount, allowing students to earn up to $30,000, in addition to other scholarship opportunities.

Now in its 14th year, REACH Georgia serves more than 4,000 scholars across all 180 school systems statewide.