Six middle school students from the Douglas County School System were awarded REACH 
Scholarships during a reception and signing ceremony held Tuesday evening at the DCSS Central Office.
The Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Scholarship Program is a statewide mentorship and needs-based initiative providing academic, social, and financial support to help scholars graduate from high school, access college, and achieve postsecondary success, explained Mitzi Teal, Executive Director of Communities In Schools of Douglas County.
The 2024-25 DCSS REACH Scholars are:
Oluwatosin Balogun (Chapel Hill Middle)
Olivia Skinner (Fairplay Middle)
Leonardo Escobar-Navarro (Mason Creek Middle)
Kamora Shackleford (Stewart Middle)
Serenity Acevedo (Turner Middle)
Stephanie Trejo-Balderas (Yeager Middle)
These six eighth-graders will meet monthly with assigned mentors as they transition to high school and throughout all four years of high school as part of the REACH program. Their parents will also remain involved during this period. Upon graduating, each scholar will receive a $2,500 annual scholarship for four years, totaling $10,000, to help cover educational expenses at any HOPE-eligible public or private postsecondary institution in Georgia, provided they maintain full-time enrollment and a minimum 2.5 GPA in college.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, Superintendent Trent North addressed the scholars and their 
families with words of encouragement.
“Congratulations,” Superintendent North said. “You’ve earned it. I know you’re going to do a great job. I look forward to shaking your hand when you walk across the stage to congratulate you for graduation and to celebrate you receiving the scholarship.”
Students and their parents or guardians also pledged their commitment to supporting and fulfilling their roles in this educational journey over the next five years.
Launched in 2012 by former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, the REACH Scholarship Program was the state’s first public-private, needs-based scholarship initiative. Originally piloted in Douglas and two other counties, it has expanded to 180 school systems across Georgia, benefiting more than 4,000 scholars statewide.
The scholarships awarded Tuesday were made possible through contributions from several generous donors.
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