During the REACH signing ceremonies, held at Bryan County Middle High School and Richmond Hill Middle School, 8th grade REACH Scholars and their families signed contracts to maintain a grade point average, maintain good attendance, and meet with their academic coaches while remaining crime, drug, and behavior issue free. 

Parents and guardians were also in attendance and signed contracts to support these efforts. Community members, REACH Coordinators, volunteer mentors, and academic coaches who have committed their time and energy to helping these students achieve educational success also participated in the ceremony.

The 2022 Bryan County Schools REACH scholars are Kaylie Gillingham  and Emily Oliver from Richmond Hill Middle School and James Hodges and Tishayla Paulk from Bryan County Middle School.

Initiated in 2012, REACH Georgia is a mentoring and scholarship program designed to ensure that the state’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school and complete college. Bryan County Schools is among the group of 20 school systems that joined the program in 2019. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) holds the scholarships for scholars until they graduate from high school.

With the upholding of the contract’s requirements, each REACH scholar will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon graduating high school. Many colleges and universities have also agreed to additional financial assistance for REACH scholars who enroll in their institution. All funds raised for REACH Georgia locally will go to future recipients.

“The state of Georgia funds a portion of the scholarships but the remaining must be raised by other entities. The employees of Bryan County Schools are committed to our REACH Scholars and have raised over $15,000.00 to help fund the scholarships. Our organization believes in our students and the REACH program.” said Dr. Paul T. Brooksher, Superintendent, Bryan County Schools.