STUDENT WORK & CAREER RECOGNITIONS READINESS
Bulloch’s first REACH Scholars graduate from college Need-based scholarship helps local firstgeneration college students.
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n May 23, 2013, five promising young women, all in seventh-grade, became Bulloch County Schools’ first cohort of REACH Georgia Scholarship recipients. Now, nine years later, Amaya Brown, Kailana Low, Aisley Scarboro, Amonica Kirkland, and De’Neshia Jones are graduating from college, making graduate school plans, and establishing careers. “When you think of our school district’s mission to help prepare students for success and enhance the value of our community, REACH is one resource we have to help do just that,” said Charles Wilson, superintendent of Bulloch County Schools. “We are changing the future one day and one student at a time.” These first scholars were initially identified from more than 400 eligible seventh-grade students. A community committee then selected them from a
group of 12 finalists. After maintaining their REACH Georgia eligibility throughout middle and high school, they each received the program’s $10,000 base scholarship for college. Also, depending on their choice of colleges, more than 60 Georgia colleges, universities and technical colleges, including Georgia Southern University, East Georgia College, and Ogeechee Technical College, double, and in some instances, triple match the base scholarship. The scholarship is in addition to any other grants or scholarships a student may earn, including HOPE Scholarships. “REACH has been a huge help,” said Kailana Low. “I’m the first in my family to graduate from a four-year university. Being a REACH scholar encouraged me, and even my friends encouraged me in college and impressed upon me what an opportunity this scholarship is.” Amonica Kirkland agrees. “The REACH scholarship allowed me to graduate college with no loans and no debt.” “REACH allowed me to do a lot more things in college and not have to worry about loans,” added Aisley Scarboro. Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) is the state’s first needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program. Launched on February 6, 2012, by former Governor Nathan Deal as part of his Complete College Georgia initiative. It helps ensure academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, and achieve postsecondary success. Bulloch County Schools was one of five school districts along with Dodge, Douglas, Rabun and Quitman counties that initially piloted the program for the state. Today, REACH serves all 180 school systems across Georgia. Bulloch County now has 45 REACH Georgia scholars. Locally the program would not be possible without the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education, which annually provides the required $7,500 in seed capital to the state to provide scholarships to Bulloch’s scholars. The Foundation raises funds through donations and events like the Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot.