Four Peach county middle-schoolers receive REACH scholarship

When she stopped at Byron Middle School last week, Georgia first lady Sandra Deal told a crowd gathered in the media center that the smartest boy in her class didn’t go to college.

Instead, he went to work for what is now AT&T.

“He’s the one who would have shown what college was for because he was so bright,” Deal said. “I’ve always thought about that. ... College should be available to those who are capable.”

So Deal had four eighth-graders sign a contract that, if honored, will help them pay for college. Each student agreed to maintain good grades until graduation and to stay out of trouble. They must also meet with a community mentor twice a month. In return, they’ll receive $2,500 in private scholarship money each year to be used toward tuition at any HOPE eligible institution. Over four years, they could each receive $10,000.

The needs-based scholarship program called REACH -- Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen -- was launched by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2012. AT&T is the founding sponsor of the program.

Two eighth-graders from Fort Valley Middle School, Lauren Hammock and Terkel Jefferson, and two from Byron Middle School, Willie Mena and Davion James, were chosen for the scholarship opportunity this year.

Lauren, 13, was in fifth period two weeks ago when she and Terkel were called to the office.

“My reaction was, ‘Oh God, what did I do?’ ” Lauren said. “The superintendent said, ‘It was a hard decision, but congratulations, you two have been nominated for the REACH scholarship’ ... I felt proud.”

Hammock, an “A” student, said she plans to go to the Medical College of Georgia to study biology and become a radiologist. Her mother, Fabrienne Hammock, and her grandmother, Rosa Hammock, attended the ceremony. Both said the REACH scholarship will help tremendously with college expenses.

“Me being a single parent, I put my all into her making sure that she makes good grades,” Fabrienne Hammock said. “It just makes me proud. This is a big accomplishment.”

Willie Mena said he was excited when he learned he was chosen for the scholarship.

“I’m thinking about going to a technical college,” he said, adding that he wants to be a graphic artist for video games.

Willie’s mom, April, also is a single parent. She said the scholarship would help her a lot because she still has her own college debt to pay off.

“I had to do financial aid and student loans,” she said. “So, at least $10,000 of what he is getting will already be covered. It will help him out a big deal. It’s very much appreciated ... I’m thrilled. I’m overjoyed.”

Parents also signed contracts to support the students’ scholarship efforts.

First lady Deal projected that more than 60 percent of jobs in Georgia will require a college certificate or degree in 2020.

Presently, she said, only 42 percent of the state’s young adults have earned college credentials.

“More than 100 Georgia students representing 23 school systems (will) sign contracts in 2014,” Deal said. “These diligent youths are making an important investment in their futures that will no doubt lead them to be more prosperous and civically engaged citizens.”

Other participating school systems in Middle Georgia include Twiggs County, Laurens County, Dublin City and Dodge County.

To contact writer Laura Corley, call 744-4382.

This story was originally published October 1, 2014 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Four Peach county middle-schoolers receive REACH scholarship ."