Six high school seniors were honored for their successful completion of Bulloch County Schools' REACH Georgia Scholars program, a milestone that now unlocks $10,000 in college scholarship funds for each student.
The recognition highlights four years of academic achievement, strong attendance, service to the community, and good behavior—core requirements of the state’s needs-based scholarship and mentoring initiative. This year's scholar graduates are Shelbie Jones, of Portal Middle High School; Jaydon Lawson, Janarria Wimberly, and Kelly Xochicale of Statesboro High School; and Saniyyah Jones and Michael Dixon of Southeast Bulloch High School.
The Bulloch County Board of Education and the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education hosted a reception for the scholars and their families, school counselors, and mentors prior to the Board's regular meeting on May 8. During the meeting they were formally recognized for their accomplishments, and they were presented with a cord to wear with their graduation regalia during their schools' commencement exercises.
Each now eagerly awaits their next steps:
- Shelbie Jones, the daughter of John and Catherine Burdett, is an honor graduate. She will attend Berry College, where she plans to major in animal science.
- Michael Dixon, the son of Rebecca Lynn Dixon and Christopher McKinney, is an honor graduate. He will attend Georgia Military College, and he is currently exploring programs of study.
- Saniyyah Jones, the daughter of Jennifer Jones, is an honor graduate. She will attend the University of Georgia where she plans to major in religious studies.
- Jaydon Lawson, the son of Jarhonda Walker, is an honor graduate. He will attend Ogeechee Technical College where he plans to major in dental assisting.
- Janarria Wimberly, the daughter of Jenetha Gray, is an honor graduate. She will attend Ogeechee Technical College where she plans to major in nursing.
- Kelly Xochicale, the daughter of Fermin Xochicale and Beatriz Flores-Perez, is an honor graduate. After graduation she plans to enlist in the United States Marine Corp. She has been a member of Statesboro High School's JROTC program all four years of high school, which will qualify her to enlist at a higher rank.
Originally selected in the eighth grade from their respective middle schools, these graduates maintained their eligibility throughout high school, earning access to scholarship funds reserved for them upon selection into the program. These funds supplement any awards received through the HOPE Scholarship or other financial aid programs.
Bulloch County's REACH Georgia Scholars Program
REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia was launched in 2012 as a state initiative to support academically promising students in financial need. Bulloch County was one of the original five school systems chosen to pilot the program. Since then, a total of $620,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to local 62 REACH Scholars from the program’s inception in 2013 through this year.
School counselors at Bulloch County’s three high schools serve as REACH mentors and academic coaches, helping scholars stay on track through graduation. This year’s graduating cohort marks the eighth out of 12 total REACH cohorts in the district who have completed high school and gone on to pursue their post-secondary journeys. Scholars from three of the cohorts have completed college and are in their careers or in graduate school.
The scholarships are funded through a partnership between the state and local sponsors. While the Georgia Student Finance Corporation holds the funds until high school graduation, the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education contributes the required per-student seed capital investment which was $1,500, but is now $1,000 per student toward the $10,000 base scholarships. The Foundation is currently the sole local sponsor and continues to seek individual and corporate donations to sustain the program. The community's participation in the Foundation's Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot is a major fundraiser for this program.
To be eligible for REACH, students must be in the eighth grade, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, good behavior and attendance, and a crime- and drug-free record, with the support of a parent or guardian. For more information about supporting the REACH program in Bulloch County, visit bullochschools.org/REACH
Bulloch County's REACH Georgia Scholars Program
REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia was launched in 2012 as a state initiative to support academically promising students in financial need. Bulloch County was one of the original five school systems chosen to pilot the program. Since then, a total of $620,000 in college scholarships has been awarded to local 62 REACH Scholars from the program’s inception in 2013 through this year.
School counselors at Bulloch County’s three high schools serve as REACH mentors and academic coaches, helping scholars stay on track through graduation. This year’s graduating cohort marks the eighth out of 12 total REACH cohorts in the district who have completed high school and gone on to pursue their post-secondary journeys. Scholars from three of the cohorts have completed college and are in their careers or in graduate school.
The scholarships are funded through a partnership between the state and local sponsors. While the Georgia Student Finance Corporation holds the funds until high school graduation, the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education contributes the required per-student seed capital investment which was $1,500, but is now $1,000 per student toward the $10,000 base scholarships. The Foundation is currently the sole local sponsor and continues to seek individual and corporate donations to sustain the program. The community's participation in the Foundation's Statesboro 5K Turkey Trot is a major fundraiser for this program.
To be eligible for REACH, students must be in the eighth grade, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, good behavior and attendance, and a crime- and drug-free record, with the support of a parent or guardian. For more information about supporting the REACH program in Bulloch County, visit bullochschools.org/REACH
