Tucker Middle students each awarded $10,000 scholarship
Three DeKalb County School District (DCSD) eighth-grade students are finding out in the best way possible that hard work pays off.
Tucker Middle School students Dalsian Khai, Meitte Dufera, and Khairat Adebayo were awarded $10,000 scholarships on October 23 courtesy of Georgia’s Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) program. REACH is designed to provide academically promising students with support to persist through middle and high school, gain access to college, and achieve post-secondary success.
As REACH recipients, the students will receive the $10,000 scholarships upon graduation from high school. The funds can be used at any HOPE-eligible college and university, and can be additions to any other grant or scholarship obtained.
During that time, they will be required to adhere to their respective schools’ attendance policies; maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average; participate in REACH-related activities, including meetings; follow the Student Code of Conduct; and meet with a mentor and academic coach on a regular basis.
Governor Nathan Deal launched REACH in 2012 as a pilot program in four school systems. The program’s overall mission is to ensure Georgia’s low-income, academically promising students are given academic, social, and financial support to complete their studies. It is currently administered by the Georgia Student Finance Authority.
“The state of Georgia has recognized post-secondary enrollment, persistence and attainment begins much earlier in a student’s educational path than their junior or senior year of high school,” reads a statement from REACH.
For the 2018-2019 school year, REACH has spread to 134 school systems throughout the state of Georgia, consisting of more than 1,800 eligible students. More than $4.58 million in funds has been set aside by the Georgia General Assembly to assure REACH remains a reality for students, with an additional $5 million coming from the private sector.
In total, investment in the REACH Georgia program stands at $22 million. The overall goal is to have the REACH program at all 180 school districts and serving 3,000 scholars by the 2020-21 school year.