Board of Education Members
Superintendent
Maurice Hill, Chairman
Mike Herndon, Vice Chairman
Cheri Wagner
Dr. LeVon Wilson
Steve Hein
Anshul Jain
Mike Sparks
Vernon Littles
Charles G. Wilson, CPA, MBA
Bulloch County Schools
150 Williams Road, Suite A
Statesboro, GA 30458
912.212.8500
www.bulloch.k12.ga.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2014
Contact:
Hayley Greene, Public Relations & Marketing Specialist
912.212.8512; 912.536.2827; hgreene@bulloch.k12.ga.us
Bulloch Honors REACH GA Scholars
College now in REACH for 10 local students
Bulloch County Schools (BCS) honored five
new REACH Georgia Scholars at a signing
ceremony September 25, at the Board of
Education (BOE)’s central office. Chosen
from 66 applicants, the eighth-grade students,
and their families, were recognized by Rep.
Jan Tankersley, the BOE, the Bulloch County
Foundation for Public Education (Foundation),
and Superintendent Charles Wilson. Each now
has up to $20,000 available to them to attend
college. This $100,000 investment is made
possible by REACH Georgia, the Foundation, and local post-secondary partners, like Georgia
Southern University, East Georgia College and Ogeechee Technical College who have agreed to
double-match each of the original $10,000 scholarships.
“We’re proud of these students, and the bright futures they have ahead of them,” said
Superintendent Wilson. “From what we’ve seen of their accomplishments, they will have no
problem living up to the expectations of the REACH Georgia program.”
This year’s scholars are Destiny Hartwell, Nancy Martinez and Alberto Rodriguez of Langston
Chapel Middle School, and Brian Phillips, Jr. and Michael Vescio of William James Middle
School. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I plan to use it to my full potential,” Hartwell
said.
Only 100 Georgia students were named scholars this year in 23 school systems. “This program is
a strategic investment in our students and our state, opening doors for youth in Georgia, who
may not have the opportunity to seek post-secondary education due to financial constraints,” said
Governor Nathan Deal in a statement released by REACH Georgia.
The scholars’ parents were in
attendance to also pledge support for
the program and encourage their
children to keep a college education in
focus. “We thank all those people who
played an integral part in this
scholarship, and we have encouraged
her (Destiny) to give back just as those
have given to her,” said Tracy
Hartwell.
Local scholars were selected by a committee of community leaders and educators that reviewed
the applications and selected 10 finalists. The committee then conducted face-to-face interviews
with the finalists, and selected the five winners.
Each scholar will receive mentoring and coaching through middle and high school, as well as
opportunities to participate in various programs that will assist them in college selection and
admission. “This program will really expand my horizons and give me a better opportunity to
purse by dream of developing software,” said Michael Watts, Jr.
Four of Bulloch County’s
2013 REACH scholars also
attended
the
ceremony.
Statesboro High’s Amaya
Brown and Kailana Low,
formerly of LCMS, Aisley
Scarboro
and
Amonica
Kirkland of Portal Middle
High, and Southeast Bulloch
High’s De’Neshia Jones,
formerly
of
Southeast
Bulloch Middle, are now
successful freshmen and are all meeting the program’s requirements.
REACH Georgia is a needs-based 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. Bulloch County is one of five school
systems that the state initially selected to pilot the program. The Georgia Student Finance
Corporation holds the scholarships for scholars until they graduate from high school.
Eligible students must meet the following requirements: (1)
be currently be in the eighth grade at a participating, eligible
Georgia middle school; (2) demonstrate financial need; (3)
have legal status in the U.S. (U.S. citizen or legal resident);
(4) have and agree to maintain above average attendance and
behavior; (5) have grade reports reflecting minimum grades
of 75 or better in each core course (2.5 GPA); (6) have and
agree to maintain a crime-free and drug-free record; and (7)
have the support of a parent, legal guardian, or other
committed adult.
As a pilot school system, BCS was originally awarded a total
of ten $10,000 scholarships by the state, five for 2013 and
five for 2014. Participating school systems must identify local corporate sponsors to continue the
program. This year the Foundation donated $7,500 ($1,500 per student) to help fund the $10,000
base scholarships. More than 63 colleges and universities in Georgia have agreed to doublematch and some triple-match these scholarships. All funds raised (100 percent) for REACH
Georgia locally will go to future recipients. Bulloch County’s 2013 and 2014 scholars now have
a combined total of $200,000 invested in their education in addition to any other scholarships
them may receive.
###
Pictured (Above) – (1) 2014 scholar Destiny Hartwell receives a REACH Georgia hat from Rep. Jan Tankersley,
who represented Governor Nathan Deal at the ceremony; (2) 2014 REACH Georgia Scholars and their parents listen
to Superintendent Charles Wilson detail the program’s stringent requirements; (3) 2014 and 2013 REACH Georgia
Scholars with Rep. Jan Tankersley; (4) 2014 Scholar Alberto Rodriguez signs his REACH Georgia contract while
his father, Alberto Quintero looks on.
2014 REACH Georgia Scholar Michael Vescio, of William
James Middle School, with Rep. Jan Tankersley and his
parents, Carrie Anne and Michael Vescio.
2014 REACH Georgia Scholar Brian Phillips, Jr., of William
James Middle School, with his mother, Michele Watts, and
Rep. Jan Tankersley.
2014 REACH Georgia Scholar Destiny Hartwell of
Langston Chapel Middle School, with her parents, Tracy and
Marcus Hartwell, and Rep. Jan Tankersley.
2014 REACH Georgia Scholar Alberto Rodriguez of
Langston Chapel Middle School with his parents, Rosa
Rodriguez and Alberto Quintero, and Rep. Jan Tankersley.
2014 REACH Georgia Scholar Nancy Martinez of Langston
Chapel Middle School with her parents, Maria Herrera and
Octaviano Martinez, and Rep. Jan Tankersley.