REACH Georgia scholars celebrate signing day

Eight Fayette County middle school students made their bright futures official as they celebrated winning a $10,000 REACH Georgia Scholarship with a signing ceremony on October 12.

The eight winners representing each of the county’s middle schools are Bennett’s Mill’s Neriah Bradley and Charity Richards, Flat Rock’s Valeria Suarez and Avery Vo, J.C. Booth’s Kenza Lezoul, Rising Starr’s Israel Gedeon and David Powell, and Whitewater’s Gabriel Gray.

The winners were joined at the ceremony by family and administrators from their schools as they celebrated the momentous achievement.

REACH Georgia is a statewide needs-based mentorship and scholarship program. It provides academically promising students who have a demonstrated financial need with the academic, social, and financial support to help make their dreams of college and a bright future a reality.

REACH Georgia applicants fill out an application in the spring of 7th grade, and recipients are selected and announced in fall of their 8th grade year. At the signing ceremony, scholars sign a contract along with their parent/guardian to maintain a 2.5 HOPE GPA, continue to have good behavior and school attendance, and to meet with a volunteer mentor and academic coach throughout high school.

When REACHGa scholars graduate, they receive a $10,000 scholarship which can be used at any Hope-eligible college, university, or technical school in Georgia. Many of these students may be first in their family to go to college.

The REACHGa scholarship program is possible thanks to the generous support of many. For each scholar, $4,000 is raised in contributions from local businesses and the community, with the remainder coming from the state REACHGa Foundation funding.

To help support the program, contact Fayette County Education Foundation treasurer Melinda Berry-Dreisbach via email at [email protected] or call 770-460-3535. Donations in the form of checks or money orders can be mailed to Melinda Berry-Dreisbach, Fayette County Board of Education, 205 LaFayette Avenue, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214. Please indicate on the check or money order that the donation is for the REACH Georgia Scholarship.