The Greene County School System (GCSS) has named five 8th-grade students to this year’s class of REACH Georgia Scholarship recipients.
Sa’Riyah Griggs, Alexa Lawrence, Rosselin Nava, and Olivia Walker from Anita White Carson Middle School and Jane Perez from Lake Oconee Academy make up the Greene County School System’s ninth class of REACH scholars. The school system joined the program in 2017 under GCSS REACH Coordinator Beth Thomas and Tom Kelly, the program co-founder, with his wife, Kathy, of the Greensboro Dreamers.
REACH scholars are selected in 8th grade via a rigorous application and interview process and must demonstrate an interest in higher education and a verified financial need.
By signing their REACH scholarship commitment papers, the scholars agree to maintain good grades and attendance, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and meet with their academic coaches and mentors regularly throughout high school.
Once enrolled in one of the 29 public four-year colleges, 22 technical colleges, or 35 private four-year colleges that participate in Georgia’s REACH program, REACH students must continue to meet attendance and GPA requirements to maintain their scholarships.
The funding for each GCSS REACH scholarship stems from private donations by Greene County individuals, companies, and organizations. Each REACH scholarship is sponsored with an initial contribution of $1,000 from the community donations, which the state matches with $9,000.
Some colleges provide additional financial support to REACH Scholars. When this funding is combined with Georgia’s HOPE scholarship and Federal Pell grants, each REACH scholar could be eligible to receive more than $60,000 to finance a four-year degree at a Georgia college.
Today, working with communities across the state focused on student-centered learning, REACH Georgia serves all 180 school systems in Georgia and more than 5,000 Scholars, committing over $50 million in scholarships.
GCSS REACH Georgia Scholars:
Sa’Riyah Griggs is an 8th-grader at Anita White Carson Middle School, where she has received multiple awards for attendance and the honor roll. She is a member of the volleyball team and served as captain this year. In addition to sports, Sa’Riyah also likes to draw, faces explicitly and turtles. Sa’riyah plans to attend college and pursue a career as a travel advisor and interpreter.
Sa’Riyah is very dependable. She’s a leader, smart, empathetic and she follows directions very well. She will do her best to execute whatever task she is given.
Sa’Riyah is a leader and shows great qualities that will take her far in life.
Alexa Lawrence is an 8th grader at Anita White Carson Middle School and has received multiple Honor Roll awards. She is a member of the Jr. Beta Club, FFA, and the basketball team. After school, she attends ATLAS.
In college, Alexa hopes to attend Mercer University of become a labor and delivery nurse.
Alexa is very respectful and has a great work ethic. She will advocate for herself and stay on top of what needs to be done. She has integrity and is not afraid to ask for help. Alexa is a leader. She is persistent, determined, and focused. Alexa is a wonderful student and can do well in life.
Rosselin Nava is an 8th-grader at Anita White Carson Middle School, where she participates in the after-school program and has been in the band. She also enjoys drawing and doing animation in her free time. Rosselin would like to attend SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) to study voice acting.
Rosselin is a hard-working and intelligent student who is not deterred by difficulty. She is also a talented and creative artist. She has a very good attitude and follows through with what she does. Rosselin is smart, helpful, respectful, and a capable young lady.
Jane Perez is an 8th-grader at Lake Oconee Academy, where she has been recognized as a High Honors and perfect-attendance student. She is also a member of the color guard team and performs at ball games. Jane would like to attend the University of Georgia, study psychology, and become a therapist.
Jane is kind, studious, hard-working, motivated, and resilient. Her optimism is infectious. She always finds the silver lining in situations. Jane has a genuine love of learning and a clear vision for her future.
Olivia Walker is an 8th grader at Anita White Carson Middle School, where she has received multiple Honor Roll, art, writing, and 4-H DPA recognitions. She is also a baker and a pianist.
She would like to attend SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) to study character animation.
Olivia is very respectful, creative, and consistently demonstrates care towards others.
She is one of the most driven students, with intense passion, imagination, and motivation. Olivia brings her artistic style to all her projects and inspires others.