Five Decatur County students were awarded REACH scholarships at a signing ceremony held at Bainbridge High School on Tuesday, October 29. The scholars for 2019-2020 are (L-R) Jose Cardozo, Cameron Cooper, Reagan Moore, Samuel Haire, and Erick Villalobos. During the signing ceremony, the students, parents, community members and Decatur County School officials pledged to support the students until graduation. The ceremony consisted of a video message from Governor Kemp, congratulations from Senator Dean Burke, and inspiration from John Wooden, Assistant Superintendent, and Tim Cochran, Superintendent.
REACH scholars will receive a $10,000 scholarship to be used at Georgia two year, four year, or technical colleges. Many Georgia colleges are now doubling the scholarship to REACH students. A portion of the scholarships must be collected within the community. This year the community sponsors for the scholarships are First Port City Bank, Scott and Monica Ewing, The Thomas M. and Irene B. Kirbo Charitable Foundation, and Envision Credit Union.
The Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship Program was launched by Governor Deal in 2012 and is a needs-based mentorship and scholarship program designed to encourage students, starting in middle school, to persist in their educational pursuits. Students are provided with the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, achieve post-secondary success, and be prepared for the 21st century workforce. The five scholars who signed a commitment today join thirteen other REACH scholars at Bainbridge High School. The previously awarded scholars are Yuji Cotton, Leigh Sapp, Lawson Chandler, Eliel Lopez, Anala McIntyre, Jamil Tucker, Kursten Branson, Jared Davis, Kevin Ramirez, Robert Foor, Skylar Jones, Thomas Spooner, and LaQuirsten Williams. Yuji Cotton and Leigha Sapp will be the first REACH graduates this year.
If you have any questions about REACH scholarships in Decatur County, or are interested in providing financial support for scholarships or travel expenses for the REACH students to visit colleges, please contact Kathy Varner, REACH Coordinator, at [email protected].
REACH Scholarship Signing
