Four students named Georgia REACH Scholars
Posted by Haley Lacuesta on 12/13/2024 8:00:00 AM
Four eighth-grade students were named REACH Georgia Scholars during a Signing Day event at the Richmond County Board of Education on Thursday, Dec. 12. The needs-based mentoring and scholarship program provides $10,000 scholarships to students who complete the program and graduate from high school.
“We recognize and we honor the hard work, dedication, and the potential of these outstanding students who have been selected for this prestigious scholarship,” said Dr. Malinda Cobb, associate superintendent of academic services. “They are four [selected] out of 42, and that is an intense competition.”
This year's scholars include Evelyn Bustamante of Murphey Middle School, Ar'quavious Casey of W.S. Hornsby Middle School, Ka'mani Green of Richmond Hill Middle School, and Alexie Perez of Tutt-Langford Middle School.
Students were selected through a rigorous process that included nominations from teachers, guidance counselors, or principals, followed by an application and multiple interviews with a selection committee. They must maintain eligibility by achieving good grades, attendance, and behavior through middle and high school. Each scholar will also meet with an assigned mentor and academic coach eight times per semester.
Evelyn Bustamante described the moment she learned she had been chosen. “I was playing with my friends in gym class, and my counselor came to get me,” she said. “My teachers were gathered in one place, and they all congratulated me. I felt really happy in the moment to be awarded with the scholarship.”
The REACH Georgia program aims to increase access to higher education by providing mentoring and financial support to students who meet federal income eligibility requirements.
Ka'mani Green said the scholarship helps her visualize her dream of becoming a pediatric nurse. "I felt good because it was like I’ve got a path to success," she said. "I understand I’m still in school, but it feels like now I’m halfway there." The other scholars also shared their aspirations: Alexie Perez plans to pursue a career in nursing with a focus on anesthesiology, Ar’quavious Casey aims to become a computer technician, and Evelyn Bustamante hopes to study coding.
During the ceremony, students signed commitments to the program, joined by their families, guidance counselors, principals, and district leaders. They join a list of 80 Richmond County School System students who have participated in the scholarship program since 2016.
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