Governor Nathan Deal launched the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Georgia scholarship program in 2012, and it is a needs-based scholarship program that begins in 8th grade. REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor and an academic coach through high school. Scholars must maintain good grades (2.5 GPA in core courses), behavior and attendance through middle and high school. Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded a $10,000 scholarship that can be used at any HOPE-eligible institution in Georgia. Many colleges are matching or double-matching this scholarship. The scholarship is in addition to any othergrant or scholarship the student receives. The Liberty County School System became a REACH district two years ago and currently has seven REACH Scholars in the ninth and tenth grades. Due to local fundraising efforts, two additional REACH Scholars from the current 8th graders in the system will be awarded $10,000 scholarships and join the 2017-2018 cohort of REACH Scholars in Georgia.

 The Liberty County School System will hold its REACH Signing Day on Wednesday, October 4th this year. Liberty County School System REACH Scholars and their parents will sign contracts on this date, committing to satisfying the program requirements and graduating from high school. The LCSS REACH Signing Day ceremony will take place at 5:00pm at the Performing Arts Center with Anthony Johnson as the guest speaker.

 For more information, contact Torri Jackson at tjackson@liberty.k12.ga.us or (912) 877- 3151.