Five of Long County Middle School’s eighth grade students have been awarded REACH Georgia Scholarships. These students were joined by their families, school administrators, and community supporters on Tuesday, December 14 for a REACH Signing Ceremony at the Long County Board of Education Office. The winners, now known as REACH Scholars, include Pamela Chihuahua, Jasmine Lopez, Ismael Pina Sotelo, Mildred Rivera, and Aleeyah Williams.
Superintendent David Edwards asked the REACH Scholars to commit to keeping good grades, attendance, and behavior; meeting with assigned mentors; and graduating from high school and college. He asked the parents or guardians of the REACH Scholars to commit to supporting their students as they progress through the REACH program. Finally, Mr. Edwards asked the school and community members to affirm their willingness to support the REACH Scholars in their journey to adulthood.
The REACH Georgia Scholars were nominated by teachers at Long County Middle School. They completed an application process and were determined to be eligible candidates based on their current and previous grades, behavior, and attendance. The students participated in an interview conducted by a community selection committee. The REACH Scholars will be assigned individual mentors, as well as an academic coach, who will meet with them at least monthly to support and assist them as needed until they successfully graduate from high school. Once they graduate, each Scholar will receive a $10,000 scholarship that can be used at a HOPE-eligible University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, or private postsecondary institution.
Funding for the REACH Scholarships, totaling $50,000 for this year’s winners, is provided by the REACH Georgia Foundation and local sponsors. In Long County, each local sponsor contributes $1,000 and the Foundation donates $9,000, resulting in five $10,000 scholarships. This year’s local sponsors include Compass Worship Center, Greater Historical Elem Missionary Baptist Church, A New Beginning Church, Bobby Harrison Smith III, and Tony Duncan, Century 21 Action Realty-The Home Team. “We appreciate the generous contributions of our local REACH Scholarship sponsors,” David Edwards, Superintendent, said. “These organizations and individuals have made a tremendous and positive impact on the lives of our REACH Scholars and their families.”