Five Fannin County Middle School (FCMS) students became the sixth group of students from the Fannin County School System to become Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) scholars during a socially distanced REACH Signing Ceremony Wednesday, October 21.
Eighth grade students Jacee Fain, Rilee Flowers, Wyatt Payne, Abigail Ridings and Nolan Urrutia are this year’s newly inducted scholars who have pledged to keep good grades, attendance and behavior, meet with their mentors and academic coach, and graduate from high school and college.
“As we come together today, we reaffirm our commitment to education and our goal of seeing every student succeed,” Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston said. “Success can be difficult to achieve even in the best of times. This year, as we know, has presented us with a unique set of challenges and opportunities. So let me begin by thanking each of you, the teachers, the staff, the parents and the students, for rising to meet those challenges and to seize this opportunity they’ve been presented.”
School System Director of Nutrition Candice Sisson, who also serves as the county’s REACH Coordinator, explained that REACH is part of the Complete College Georgia Initiative, a statewide effort to increase attainment of a high quality certificate or degree, and is a need-based mentorship and scholarship program.The program provides low-income, academically promising students from across the state with the academic, social and financial support they need to graduate from high school and attend college.
In March, seventh grade students are nominated by their teachers and submit applications. The applicants are then reviewed and interviewed by the selection committee and the five students are selected.
Students are eligible for the program if they attend a REACH school, qualify based on economic need, meet citizenship and residency requirements, demonstrate academic promise and have no crime and/or drug convictions. Preference is given to students who will become first generation collegiate scholars.
Each scholar is provided comprehensive support, additional college-related activities and the promise of a financial scholarship upon successful program completion.
More than 60 public and private colleges partner with REACH.
These schools often match, double or even triple the scholarship offered to students.
“REACH is an excellent example of the public/private partnerships that it takes to make programs like this possible,” Ralston said. “With support of local businesses and community members, this program is truly a team effort. … Many, many people in this community, not only in the education world, but in the business world and in the civic world, have contributed in this and thereby are touching the lives of so many students.”
A comprehensive evaluation system ensures the program is beneficial to students by tracking student success, behavior, participation and attendance. Student, parent and mentor surveys are also used to ensure all scholars’ strengths and needs are addressed and recognized.
School System Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney referenced the importance of education in the lives of each of the scholars, stating, “Today is a celebration of the future lives of these students as well as the future of our entire community.”