Tift County Schools has named four eighth-grade students to this year’s class of REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia Scholarship recipients. Evelio Almaraz, Jr. and Patience Bee from Northeast Middle School and Serenity Gutierrez and Giovanni Zurbina from Eighth Street Middle School make up the Tift County Schools’ 2024 class of REACH scholars.
REACH scholars are selected in 8th grade via a rigorous application and interview process and must demonstrate an interest in higher education and a verified financial need. By signing their REACH scholarship commitment papers, the scholars agree to maintain good grades and attendance, abstain from drugs and alcohol, and meet with their academic coaches and mentors regularly throughout high school.
Once enrolled in one of the 29 public four-year colleges, 22 technical colleges, or 35 private four-year colleges participating in Georgia’s REACH program, REACH students must continue meeting attendance and GPA requirements to maintain their scholarships.
Each REACH scholarship is funded through donations from individuals, companies, and organizations. Sponsors for Tift County’s REACH Scholarship Fund include South Georgia Bank, The Jay Deason Fund, Commercial Banking Company, and the Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation.
Today, working with communities across the state that are focused on student-centered learning, REACH Georgia serves all 180 school systems across Georgia and more than 4,000 Scholars, committing over $40 million in scholarships.
Pictured above (L-R): Michelle Huffman (Northeast Middle School Principal), Chris Cutts (South Georgia Bank), Evelio Almaraz, Patience Bee, Serenity Gutierrez, Giovanni Urbina, Donald Warren (Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation), Morris Tankersley (Commercial Banking Company), and Paul Nelson (Eighth Street Middle School Principal).
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