5 Bartow Students Join REACH Program

Bartow County: Five Bartow County students earn the opportunity to attend a Georgia college, university, or technical school nearly cost-free upon graduation and completion of the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program!

The 2019 REACH Georgia Scholars are Emma Downey from Cass Middle School, Jorden Edens and Tyreana Sims from Red Top Middle School, Rakaylin Glover from Woodland Middle School, and Julian Trollinger from Adairsville Middle School. This third cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars will officially sign their commitment letters Nov. 7 at the Bartow County College and Career Academy in front of school leaders and area representatives, including Dr. Don Green, president of Georgia Highlands College and event keynote speaker.

The REACH Georgia Scholars were nominated by their counselors and teachers in the spring of their seventh-grade year, based on grades, attendance, and behavior. After completing the application, students were interviewed at the county office by school staff and business members, and then selected to join nine other REACH Georgia Scholars already admitted into the program. Through REACH Georgia, students are given academic and social support to ensure they graduate from high school and attain a college degree or certificate. Part of this support includes pairing each scholar with a mentor. Members of the community are asked to complete a background check and training, and then visit their mentee at school twice a month. This year's mentors are Wendy Garrelts, Tamara LaRock, Maurice Wilson, Mecole Ledbetter, and Jesse Gilliam. They offer guidance and professional expertise on time management and effective study strategies.

REACH Georgia Coordinator Kristy Mitchell also meets with students regularly to monitor grades, attendance, and behavior throughout their high school career. "Signing Day is always exciting because our students are being rewarded for their hard work at an early age,” says Mitchell. “Our students are well-rounded young adults. They are enrolled in honors classes, and some participate in one or more sports, JROTC, band, and other extracurricular activities. I enjoy seeing them grow and develop more confidence in their abilities. I’m excited to see what their future holds, especially those who will become first-generation college students.” “Our scholars have so many new and exciting opportunities at their fingertips,” adds Bartow County School System Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page. “They can apply right now to one or all three of our magnet programs, which will allow them to pursue their interests, develop their talents, and extend their competencies beyond the usual scope of high school.”

“There are so many options to help prepare students for future careers, and depending on their field of study, the REACH Georgia Scholarship can cover most, if not all, of their tuition,” says Mitchell. “Certain schools will match and even double-match the scholarship, increasing the amount they can earn to $30,000. Students can also qualify for other scholarships.” The seven-year-old program serves nearly 1,800 scholars in more than 150 school systems across Georgia, committing more than $22 million in scholarships.