Heard County School System announces 2020 REACH Scholars

2020 Reach Scholars (L-R): Trystan Rowell, Douglas Chaffin, Christopher Lovelace, Amya Heath, and Madison Lucas (Photo: HCSS)

(Franklin, GA) — Five Heard County eighth graders recently signed contracts agreeing to get good grades and attendance, meet with academic coaches and mentors and to graduate from high school and pursue postsecondary education.

As their reward, the State of Georgia will provide them $10,000 ($2500 per year) toward four years of college or technical education.

REACH Georgia is a needs-based scholarship launched several years ago by Governor Nathan Deal.

REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) is a strategic investment in our students and our state, opening doors for youth in Georgia who may not have the opportunity to seek postsecondary education due to financial constraints.

The mission is to provide Georgia’s academically promising students with academic, social and financial support needed to graduate from high school and college prepared for work.

Governor Deal launched the REACH Scholarship in 2012 at and announced the first corporate sponsor, AT&T, which donated $250,000. It was launched as a pilot program in three Georgia school systems.

REACH became Georgia’s first public-private needs-based scholarship opportunity. It is locally owned and operated allowing community members to have a stake in student success. 100% of funds raised go to the college scholarships.

The five Class of 2025 Heard students selected for the prestigious honor this year are Trystan Rowell, Douglas Chaffin, Christopher Lovelace, Amya Heath, and Madison Lucas.

The contracts that each signed require them to maintain an overall 2.5  grade point average, have good attendance, have good behavior and remain drug and crime free, meet with assigned mentors and academic coaches on a weekly basis, graduate from high school, and participate in other REACH activities.

Once each student fulfills their requirements the trust will provide $2,500 for four years and provide the foundation of their college funding.

With additional HOPE scholarship, matching funds (sometimes at double and triple the REACH funding) from individual colleges and additional federal grants, each of these scholars should be able to attend college with all costs fully covered.