BARTOW COUNTY, Ga. (October 26, 2023) – Five Bartow County students earn the
opportunity to attend a Georgia college, university, or technical school nearly cost-free upon
graduation and completion of the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program!
The 2023 REACH Georgia Scholars are Raelyn Hartage and Madeline Ward from Adairsville
Middle School, Eliel Espinoza Resendiz from Cass Middle School, Heidi Lozano from Red Top
Middle School, and Madex Baca from Woodland Middle School. This seventh cohort of
REACH Georgia Scholars officially sign their commitment letters today at the Bartow County
College and Career Academy in front of school leaders, board members, and area
representatives.
The REACH Georgia Scholars were nominated by their counselors and teachers in the spring of
their seventh-grade year, based on grades, attendance, and behavior. After completing the
application, students were interviewed, and then selected to join 29 other REACH Georgia
Scholars already admitted into the program.
Through REACH Georgia, students are given academic and social support to ensure they
graduate from high school and attain a college degree or certificate. Part of this support includes
pairing each scholar with a mentor.
“Every year, the middle schools present a great group of candidates, and this year was no
exception,” said REACH Georgia Coordinator Kristy Mitchell. “What impressed me the most,
though, was their thoughtfulness and character. They wished each other luck before the interview
and complimented each other on their responses. This is a very deserving group of young adults
and I look forward to getting to know them better as they move through school.”
Upon successful program completion, students earn a $10,000 scholarship. Certain schools will
match or even double match the scholarship, increasing the amount they can earn to $30,000.
Students can also qualify for other scholarships.
The 11-year-old program serves more than 4,300 scholars in all 180 school systems in the state.
Press Release