Oconee Co students receive REACH scholarships

Four Oconee County students are recipients of REACH scholarships, getting aid for college from the REACH Georgia program that is needs-based and designed to expand access to higher education. Kamryn Hill and Grace LaCourte are students at Malcom Bridge Middle School, while Zaniya Griffin and Parker Loudermilk attend Oconee Middle.

From Anisa Sullivan, Oconee County School District…

Four Oconee County Schools students will receive Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarships during a signing ceremony on Fri., Oct. 18 at 9 a.m. in the Central Office Board Room at 34 School St. The REACH Georgia program is a needs-based scholarship designed to promote academic success and expand access to higher education.

As a part of the program, the students will sign contracts to maintain a certain grade point average and to also meet with a volunteer mentor and academic coach until they graduate from high school. Parents or guardians will also sign contracts to support their child through this process. When these scholars graduate from high school, they will receive up to a $10,000 scholarship – $2,500 each year for up to four years – to be used at a HOPE-eligible Georgia two or four-year college. Many colleges are matching this scholarship and some are double matching the scholarship, providing scholars additional resources for their college education.

“Oconee County Schools is proud to launch the REACH Scholarship program in our community, which will expand post-secondary access for these deserving students,” said Superintendent Jason L. Branch. “I commend our inaugural REACH Scholars and wish them much success in their academic journeys."

The district’s four REACH Scholars are:

Zaniya Griffin – Oconee County Middle School

Kamryn Hill – Malcom Bridge Middle School

Grace LaCourte – Malcom Bridge Middle School

Parker Loudermilk – Oconee County Middle School