Five CCSD Students to Receive Georgia REACH Scholarships

Submitted by Clarke County School District

Five Clarke County School District students will receive Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarships during a signing ceremony on Wed., Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. in the school district’s Board Room at 240 Mitchell Bridge Rd. The REACH Georgia program is a needs-based scholarship designed to promote academic success and expand access to higher education.

“This program is a strategic investment in our students and our state, opening doors for youth in Georgia who may not have the opportunity to seek postsecondary education due to financial constraints,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “The scholars who signed contracts today have demonstrated dedication to their educational achievement, and I encourage them to continue working hard so they can find success in college and become part of Georgia’s top-ranked workforce.”

As a part of the program, the students signed contracts to maintain a certain grade point average, remain crime, drug and behavior issue-free and meet with a volunteer mentor until they graduate from high school. Their parents or guardians also signed contracts to support their student through their education. When these scholars graduate from high school, they will receive up to a $10,000 scholarship — $2,500 each year for up to four years — to be used at a HOPE-eligible Georgia two or four-year college. Many colleges are matching this scholarship and some are double matching the scholarship, providing scholars addition resources for their college education.

“Clarke County is pleased to participate in the REACH Georgia program, as we are committed to helping expand post-secondary opportunities for our students,” said Superintendent Philip D. Lanoue. “I commend our REACH Scholars, and wish them well on this path to future success. Special thanks to Graduation Coach Coordinator Rick Dunn for facilitating this process.”

The district’s five REACH Scholars are:
Ne’Terrian Jones, Clarke Middle School
Jatavious Payne, At-Large (Clarke Middle School)
Marilen Rodriguez, Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School
Daysha Sheets, Hilsman Middle School
Trenton Watkins, Coile Middle School