Six middle school students in Houston County have been named a Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholar and were awarded $10,000. The REACH Georgia program provides support for students with academic promise, to help them successfully progress from middle school through college, with a goal of earning a degree. 

The 2025 REACH Scholars are:

• Bonaire Middle: Quantez Durant

• Feagin Mill Middle: Reagan Nolan

• Huntington Middle: Amelia Wang

• Mossy Creek Middle: Michaela Robinson

• Perry Middle: Ava Posey

• Thomson Middle: Malachi Pizarro

The REACH Scholarship program is designed to provide support for students by pairing them with an academic coach and mentor. Throughout enrollment in middle and high school, recipients will meet regularly with their academic coach and mentor. Meeting topics will include college and career planning, social interaction, life skills, study skills and academic support available at school. Mentors undergo a detailed training orientation and receive ongoing training throughout the school year. The goal is for the mentors to stay with their assigned student through high school. 

After successful completion of the program, the students will receive the scholarship funds upon high school graduation. The funds can be distributed over four years of college. With the addition of these six, there are 34 students enrolled in the program. 

“We are excited to meet and celebrate another class of REACH Scholars,” said Monica Smith, the Houston County School District’s REACH Scholar Coordinator. “What makes this program so impactful is the steady, individualized support students receive from their mentors and academic coaches. The guidance, encouragement, and real-world preparation they gain over the years truly helps them grow in confidence and clarity as they plan for life after high school.”

The Houston County School District receives community support to fund each scholarship. The Bank of Dudley, Flint Energies, and SunMark Community Bank provided support for this year’s scholarships. 

 If you or your organization are interested in contributing toward future REACH Scholarships, please contact Monica Smith at[email protected].