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REACH Georgia
We're happy to announce our REACH Scholars for Barrow County School System! REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia is a State of Georgia’s mentorship and college scholarship program.
Scholars are paired with a mentor and an academic coach through high school. They must maintain good behavior, grades and attendance, and graduate from high school. Scholars who successfully complete the program are awarded a $10,000 scholarship that can be used at any HOPE eligible college in Georgia. Many colleges are matching or double-matching these funds. The scholarship is awarded in addition to any other grant or scholarship the student receives.
The Barrow County School System REACH Scholars for 2024-2025 are:
Alec Fortaleche
AIM
Alec is a hard working, kind, and confident young man. He is very friendly, outgoing, and his mind is always exploring ways to help others. Alec has played soccer for 8 years and he would like to attend The University of Georgia to study business.
Livi Hamler
BCMS
Livi is a determined student and she is serious about her academic success. She has integrity and can be counted on to do the right thing, even if her peers are making poor choices. She is a well-rounded student and has taken dance lessons since 2018. Livi even assists in teaching dance classes at her studio. Livi desires to attend college and have a career in the medical profession, possibly as an Ultrasound Technician.
Olivia Lo
HMMS
Olivia is an organized, respectful, and very motivated young student. She works hard in her classes, she loves music and art, and she looks forward to joining these clubs in high school. Olivia desires to one day help people working in the medical field and she would like to attend Georgia Gwinnett College to become a Neonatal Nurse.
McKenzie Tran
RMS
McKenzie is a leader and supporter of her friends and teammates. She works hard to complete every task and takes pride in producing exemplary work. McKenzie plays volleyball and participates in Student Council. McKenzie aspires to work in the medical field and would like to attend college to major in nursing.
Annabelle Yang
WMS
Annabelle is a friend to everyone and shows empathy and kindness to all. She is nurturing and helpful to others without even being asked to do so. Annabelle enjoys being in the band and doing community service and she has participated in the Academic Bowl and Beta Club. Annabelle would like to go to college to become a doctor.
If your rising 8th grader is interested in the REACH Georgia Scholarship, this is the selection criteria to know.
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The Barrow County School System hosted a celebration on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 as the 2023-24 REACH Georgia Scholars signed their commitment forms.
Atir Britt
AIM
Atir has a sweet and gentle nature that makes others feel comfortable when they are around her. She is extremely kind and caring, and she is always willing to lend a helping hand. Atir is a leader in the classroom, and she has amazing potential to succeed. Atir would like to attend college to become a Veterinarian.
Tarajah Wilburn
BCMS
Tarajah is a beautiful soul! She is very caring, loves to laugh, and has wonderful manners. She loves to attend church and sings in the choir and chorus at school. She is open to challenges and always tries her best. Tarajah adds positivity to the classroom and enjoys helping others. Tarajah would like to attend college to become a Dentist.
Arely Curiel
HMMS
Arely is caring, respectful, reliable, and kind. She loves to learn and always puts forth her best effort. She is an exemplary student with good behavior and attendance. Arely is very good at interacting with adults and peers, and she exudes integrity, leadership, and determination. Arely would like to attend college to become an Immigration Lawyer.
Amarianna Lamar
RMS
Amarianna is a great person! She is very sweet, respectful, and smart. She is a natural born leader, as she takes the initiative in class to help her peers. Amarianna has great potential to do anything she sets her mind to. She plays volleyball and is a basketball cheerleader at school. Amarianna would like to attend college and to study Business Management.
Liliana Lopez
WMS
Liliana is absolutely amazing! She is determined, hardworking, respectful, and fun. Liliana is always willing to help her teachers and her fellow classmates. She is always on task, and she provides a quiet leadership in the classroom and entire school. Liliana would like to attend college to study Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.
Surprise Announcement video:
SIGNING DAY photos:
Na'kenya Wiley – BCMS
Na’kenya has a bright future ahead serving others in the nursing field. Her teachers describe her as goal-oriented, and they say her smile lights up the room. Her basketball coach says she is motivated and works hard to achieve her goals. She is a leader, growing in self-confidence. She welcomes feedback and uses it to improve her skills in school and on the court.
Lance Fields – BASA
Lance dreams of becoming an engineer or a chef with his own restaurant. He is proud of his ability to work well in groups, a trait sought by colleges and employers. The REACH Interview Team all made note of his great work ethic which helps him meet the rigor of his classes. As his teacher said, Lance is hard-working and smart with a quick wit - a winning combination for success.
A.J. Norton - HMMS
AJ is a role model for others, a hard worker, respectful, and determined. It is said he has a big heart and that others gravitate toward him. One of his football coaches said AJ looks at every new opportunity with reverence and humility and calls him a natural leader and scholar. He would like to play football in college while studying Kinesiology. His good grades, relationships, and performance on the field will help him get there.
Vanyatta Watson – RMS
Vanyatta loves learning, sports, teachers, and friends. Others describe her as driven, kind and curious. She strives to be the best version of herself. She is determined and driven to excel. According to her teacher, “She has grit.” She seeks to study business and sports management.
Ivana Virella Babilonia – WMS
Ivana has a quiet demeanor and a contagious smile. She is a strong leader with great interpersonal skills. She is creative with interests in music and art. She also likes sports and plays soccer. A well-rounded student already, she works hard to be a good student, receiving recognition for her grades as well as her perfect attendance. These attributes and interests will serve her well as she pursues a career in interior design.
Surprise Announcement:
Signing Day:
Caitlyn Bruce - BCMS
Alex Mejia - BCMS
Rylan Shields - BASA
Gavin Wall - HMMS
Aubrey DeLeon - RMS
Luis Falcon - WMS
Barrow Arts & Sciences Academy
The Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy is proud to announce its very first 8th grade REACH Scholar, Miss Journey Render. With a dream of studying dance at UGA and perhaps becoming a choreographer, she is already making a name for herself at BASA. Described as a glass half-full student who loves to dance, she is doing all she can to better herself in the art of dance, even as a distance learner. Journey is a tenacious student and a very hard worker! She has the grit to work through difficult assignments and topics, and is mature enough to ask great questions and advocate for herself! What an awesome young scholar to teach!
Bear Creek Middle School
Ricardo Martinez-Nava is the Bear Creek Middle School REACH scholar for 2020-2021. He is an 8th grader and has excelled during his time at BCMS. Ricardo is a brilliant and driven young man who truly embodies the work ethic and drive of someone who will meet and exceed his goals in life. He is a polite and courteous gentleman and BCMS is proud he is a Grizzly. The ultimate goal for Ricardo is to become an architect and he hopes to attend the University of Georgia. In his spare time, he enjoys basketball.
Haymon-Morris Middle School
Joniell Rodriguez Perez is a wonderful Wildcat who is truly a remarkable student. His past and present teachers describe him as honest, polite, persistent, hardworking, and diligent. He goes out of his way to help others and is empathetic. Joniell has a positive attitude along with a bright smile and a great sense of humor that will cheer up anyone’s day! Joniell is kind and respectful to everyone. He has a clear drive to learn and perseveres through obstacles. He takes pride in his work, is always willing to ask for help, and goes the extra mile to do his best. Overall, Joniell is an outstanding student and a joy to teach!
Russell Middle School
Niki Xiong is one of four children and will be the first in her family to attend college. She has aspirations of attending the University of Georgia and then medical school as she would like to pursue a career as a pediatrician or a NICU doctor. NIki says her greatest strength is her responsible nature -- if something needs to be done, she steps up to the challenge. You can see that trait echoed in her teacher’s comments, “Niki embodies the word Dependable. Her best qualities include motivation, great work ethic, and kindness. Niki can always be counted on to demonstrate respect and give her best in class each day.”
Westside Middle School
You will be hard pressed to find a more well-rounded student than Kentrollis Swan (T.J.). He has all the attributes that we seek in ourselves and society. You could use many adjectives, smart, kind, funny, and more to describe him, but the one that stands out the most is selfless. When asked how he defined success, he said it is not about being financially successful. Rather, it is about being surrounded by the people you care about and showing them that you care. With this definition of success, T.J. has a bright future ahead as he plans to study marketing management at the University of Georgia.
FOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS REACH FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE
There were smiles, happy tears, cheering, hugs, and high fives, as students found out they had been chosen as REACH Scholars.
Questions About Reach GA?
For more information about REACH Georgia, to become a BCSS mentor to a REACH Scholar, or to make a donation in support of one of the scholarships, contact Barbie Kulp.
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