The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce its 2025-26 cohort of REACH Scholars. Five eighth-grade students are on track to be awarded academic scholarships through REACH Georgia (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen), a needs-based mentoring and scholarship program providing students a framework of educational and financial support to aid their successful journey through high school and beyond.
The 2025-26 cohort includes:
Mary Jane Okoli of Burney-Harris-Lyons Middle School. Okoli also had the top overall score on the district REACH application.
Freidom Baldwin of Clarke Middle School
Aaliyah Fox and Sofia Ramirez-Ramirez of Coile Middle School
Dayanna Martinez of Hilsman Middle School.
These five students were selected by CCSD through an extensive, multi-level process, including an application, school-based semifinalist selection, and a panel interview with REACH Committee members and district staff. Scholars must maintain at least a 2.5 grade-point average, exhibit good behavior, and maintain attendance throughout middle and high school to remain part of the program. Throughout their time in the program, the students will be assigned an academic coach who will monitor their progress, work with them to develop education and career plans, and identify the appropriate academic and social supports to ensure they remain on track to succeed.
Upon program completion, students are awarded a $10,000 scholarship, which can be used at any HOPE-eligible institution in Georgia. A majority of Georgia colleges and universities match or double-match this scholarship, meaning that students can earn up to $30,000 in REACH scholarship money coming out of high school. The program is coordinated statewide by the Georgia Student Finance Commission and locally by CCSD’s Department of School Counseling.
Each of the five REACH scholars participated in individual “signing” ceremonies at their schools with their families earlier this month, signifying the students’ commitment to complete the program successfully, as well as their families’ and the school district’s commitment to support them in their educational journeys. They will also be recognized and celebrated at the Dec. 11 meeting of the Clarke County Board of Education.
“We are so proud of these students who have been raising the bar in the classroom and are excited for the opportunities that are before them as they begin the next phase of their educational journeys,” said CCSD Interim Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Scott. “We look forward to them continuing to do great things throughout the rest of their time in middle school and high school with the support of their counselors, teachers, other support staff, and their families.”
To learn more about REACH Georgia, go to reachga.org.