Sumter County Schools REACH Georgia Scholars recognized in signing ceremony

Published 11:27 am Monday, November 30, 2015

AMERICUS — Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) is Georgia’s first public-private needs-based scholarship opportunity. It was launched in 2012, by Governor Nathan Deal as a part of the Complete College Georgia Initiative. REACH 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.  Prospective students completed a lengthy application for the REACH Georgia scholarship program and participated in an interview with a panel of community leaders and retired educators. http://www.reachga.com/index.cfm.
On Sept. 30, Sumter County Schools (SCS) recognized three seventh-grade students from Sumter County Middle School as 2015-2016 REACH Georgia Scholars. Keyara Williams, Keyandria Green and Alex Salazar-Sanchez will each receive a $10,000 scholarship upon successfully graduating from high school. REACH Georgia Foundation Representatives Bodine Sinyard and Katie Minich commended the students for their hard work and achievements on behalf of Governor Deal. SCS Superintendent Donnie Smith, Associate Superintendent Victoria Harris, District employees, and the community showed their support at the signing ceremony as well. The students and their parents signed a pledge to honor their commitment to meeting the expectations and requirements of the scholarship program.