The 2023 REACH Scholarship Signing Ceremony at Phoenix Academy. Meet these remarkable scholars by viewing the video above and by clicking here for more information.
Atlanta Public Schools REACH Georgia Scholarship Signing Ceremony. Photo: Allison M. Slocum ©
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) recently inducted eight scholars into the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program, a transformative, needs-based mentorship and college scholarship program open to 8th graders in Georgia.
Administered by the State of Georgia, REACH collaborates with Georgia Student Finance Commission, which oversees prominent programs such as the HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program and manages vital educational services.
Extending its reach to all 180 school systems in Georgia, supporting over 4,000 scholars, and committing $40 million in scholarships, REACH has become a beacon of hope for countless students across the state.
Becoming an APS REACH Scholar was no small feat. Prospective students engaged in a rigorous application process, emphasizing involvement in school and academic excellence, and went through a thorough interview where members of APS partners Achieve Atlanta’s College Access team served as interviewers.
Alysia M. Benton and her mother sign the REACH Commitment Form. Benson is a student at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Photo: Allison M. Slocum ©
The chosen scholars and their parents were invited to a special induction ceremony where they signed a commitment form outlining the responsibilities they must uphold throughout their high school journey:
- Maintain a 2.5 HOPE-calculated GPA.
- Exhibit good attendance and behavior.
- Remain drug and crime-free.
- Engage with an assigned mentor and academic coach regularly.
- Attend REACH events, meetings, and programs.
- Participate in activities preparing for college.
- Graduate with a high school diploma.
- Enroll and graduate from a HOPE-eligible college or university in Georgia.
Maria Grovner, APS school counseling coordinator (9-12), expressed pride in the program’s impact since APS began participating, assisting 105 scholars in pursuing higher education.
“We’re very proud of our previous REACH scholars,” Grovner said. “Districts across the state have an opportunity to invest in their scholars by providing them with the scholarship and this is something that we do annually with our middle schools.”
APS school counseling coordinator (K-8), Jennifer Wilson, shared with attendees the incredible potential of this year’s recipients, who are academically excellent and good role models.
“These are kids who are doing the right things when they’re at school and they’re really setting the example and the tone for others in their building,” Wilson said. “They are role models through and through.”
The SY2023-2024 recipients of the Atlanta Public Schools $10,000 REACH Georgia Scholarship. Photo: Allison M. Slocum ©
To commemorate their induction, each REACH Scholar received a scholarship commitment of $10,000 and several small tokens, including a symbolic million-dollar chocolate bar, which served as a tangible reminder of the immense value education adds to one’s lifetime earnings.
“The difference between someone who doesn’t finish high school and someone who completes four years of college, and that difference in how much money they can earn over their career, their lifetime before they retire, is a million dollars,” Wilson said, explaining its significance.
The $10,000 REACH Scholarship will assist in guaranteeing that college education. KIPP Strive Academy eighth-grader and REACH recipient London Moreland expressed her relief in receiving financial support for her college journey.
“It feels refreshing knowing that I will have support with whatever college I do end up going to and it won’t be as much of a financial burden on my family,” Moreland said.
The SY2023-2024 recipients of the Atlanta Public Schools $10,000 REACH Georgia Scholarship and their families. Photo: Allison M. Slocum ©
In addition to the financial support, each recipient will receive four and a half years of academic coaching and a one-on-one mentorship where mentors will walk alongside the students and their families, ensuring they can realize their dreams.
The recipients shared their excitement about the mentorship and their gratitude, including eighth-grade Crawford W. Long Middle School student and REACH recipient Kaydon Sims, who spoke of his supportive community and his pride in achieving the REACH Scholarship.
“I am excited to especially work with my academic coach who works in the mental field, which is the field I want to go into to— psychology,” Sims said. “I really hope this helps me advance my intelligence in terms of mental health and music and things that I want to pursue.”
Moreland expressed a similar sentiment regarding the anticipation of gleaning a blueprint from her mentor on how to navigate college.
“I won’t walk in blinded,” Moreland said. “I’ll kind of know what to expect and how I could [develop] good study habits and things of that sort.”
Eighth-grade Willis A. Sutton Middle School student and REACH recipient Zakaiya Rich, who aspires to attend Georgia State University, relished the opportunity for mentorship.
“I’m looking forward to the mentors and them staying with me throughout high school,” Rich said.
As APS continues to empower its students and prepare them for college, career, and life, programs like REACH and other scholarship opportunities will be made available to eligible students and families and posted on the district website.
Please join us in congratulating the SY2023-2024 APS REACH Georgia Scholarship recipients:
Alexis Baylon | Atlanta Classical Academy
Alysia M. Benton | Coretta Scott King YWL Academy
Laila B. Foster | KIPP Vision Academy
Ni-Khole Golding | Herman J. Russell West End Academy
Leon A. Howard | John Lewis Invictus Academy
London A. Moreland | KIPP Strive Academy
Zakaiya A. Rich | Willis A. Sutton Middle School
Kaydon U. Sims | Crawford W. Long Middle School
To access the photos in the slideshow below, click here.
I am APS is a special series highlighting students, faculty, alumni, and others in celebration of the rich and diverse experiences, backgrounds and contributions within the Atlanta Public Schools family. Together, we stand in solidarity of our shared admiration of APS and the mission which guides us. #IamAPS
Kaydon Sims is an 8th grader at Crawford W. Long Middle School. Photo: Allison M. Slocum
Kaydon Sims is one of those young people who impress you instantly. Boasting a bright, dimpled smile and a firm handshake, this Crawford W. Long Middle School (Long) 8th grader has mastered the ability to learn and inform in the same conversation.
The youngest of five children, Sims belongs to a village of supportive parents, siblings and mentors who encourage him to pursue multiple interests and strive for greatness. He is a member of Long’s debate team, youth action team, and band, in which he plays the clarinet and participates in a program that allows him to occasionally march with South Atlanta High School’s Marching Hornets.
On November 9, he was one of several Atlanta Public Schools (APS) 8th graders awarded the prestigious REACH Georgia Scholarship, a $10,000 scholarship to attend any eligible, in-state college or university upon graduation from high school.
Kaydon Sims and his father signing the REACH Georgia Student and Parent Commitment. Photo: Allison M. Slocum
Sims is going places— literally. This school year alone he will be traveling on several school trips, including one to Tennessee State University’s homecoming, where Long’s band will perform in a parade, one to Washington D.C., where he and fellow students will learn about history and the government, and an educational trip to Savannah, GA.
Recently, Sims shared with us the value of making meaningful connections and his future plans to join the healthcare industry to make a difference in the lives of many.
KAYDON SIMS
Long Middle School’s 13-year-old 8th grader, REACH Scholarship recipient and future psychiatrist.
Do you have a favorite subject?
I do. Science. I love how we break down the elements that we use in our everyday [lives] like aluminum. Fluorine.
How does one break them down?
First, we look at the actual element itself. We look at the atomic mass, the atomic number, the protons, neutrons, and electrons. Also, the valence. Does it relate with the valence electron rule? So for example, aluminum. The atomic number may be 13, so that gives us the protons and the electrons. This is where the atomic mass comes in and where you put the atomic mass minus the atomic number, which gives us our neutrons. Now, we have our atom for aluminum.
Have you thought about what you want to be when you grow up?
I have. I would like to be a psychiatrist. There’s not a lot of people in the mental field, and I want to add on to their army. I want to understand the brain more.
Do you think that you’ve learned things in school so far that will help you become a psychiatrist?
Most definitely. We have a youth action team, which brings awareness to things that may not be seen as worthy. For example, recently [we focused on] suicide prevention. We made announcements. We had posters up saying how we can prevent [suicide]. We gave ways to ask yourself, ‘Do you really need help?’ and things of that sort. We also do Social Emotional Learning (SEL), where we talk about anger management and how to de-escalate a situation instead of escalating it.
Kaydon Sims is a member of Long’s debate team, youth action team, and band. Photo: Allison M. Slocum
What impact has SEL had on you since it became a part of the curriculum?
When they started incorporating it in the curriculum it was like a weight off my shoulder. It makes me feel more comfortable. [And demonstrates] how we can relate to our friends and sometimes even our teachers, like, ‘How was your day?’
For example, with my English Language Arts teacher, we call it ‘High, Low, High’. Questions are asked [about your day] like ‘What was your high? What was your low?’ Someone actually asked me how I feel and how was my weekend. I can express myself and not just share the high parts, but also my lows.
Do you feel like you’re able to build meaningful connections while you’re in middle school?
I do feel like I’m building a lot of connections. I go to South Atlanta High School for marching band, so I’ve got connections with Mr. Lane, Mr. Richardson, our drill sergeant. Ms. Stinson, of course, as I do want to go into the mental and healthcare fields.
And also Ms. Barksdale. She helps me a lot with preparing how to articulate my words, how to be presentable. She also shares some of the past experience that she had in the [healthcare] field. I really enjoy listening to the stories because when I grow up, I want to be in the same position she is in. Especially Ms. Stinson as well. Dr. Jones as well. I know he’s the 7th grade counselor, but also he’s our sponsor for the Youth Action Camp. He organizes a lot of the events that we do, so I feel like I can also connect with him.
And just getting myself out there, not being shy. Doing a lot of extracurriculars like debate, Youth Action Team. I also do the morning announcements because I’m a good speaker.
Knowing that you want to be a psychiatrist, are you able to take ownership of your learning and steer your education towards things that will benefit you?
Actually my mentor and I were going over schools [recently]. Connections. She said, ‘Look at these high schools.’ They [have] what I’m looking for. For example Midtown, I know it’s far of course, but it’s also a possibility. There’s a possibility in everything. They have a club for clinical psychology. Also, being mentally aware. For example, like when I feel like I’m not on the track that I want to be on because I’m on the track of the national [average]. I want to be ahead of that, I want to achieve. So oftentimes, I’ll stay for tutorial. Sometimes I’ll be the only person. But I’ve got to realize what I want to do, what I want to achieve. And use my connection.
Kaydon Sims is an 8th grader at Crawford W. Long Middle School. Photo: Allison M. Slocum
by Kimberly Willis Green
Eight Atlanta Public Schools (APS) eighth grade students were named REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia Scholars and participated in the REACH Statewide Signing Day Ceremony with APS Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen, Ed.D, Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal, and members of the Atlanta Board of Education.
The APS REACH Scholars, scheduled to graduate from high school in 2020, signed scholarship contracts along with their parents, during a ceremony that included their principals and school counselors. As the second group of APS REACH Scholars, they are among 177 students who participated in Signing Day across the Georgia.
The Class of 2020 APS REACH Georgia Scholars are:
Kristin White Joseph E. Brown Middle School
Kameron Jenkins Ralph J. Bunche Middle School
Jaylee Davis Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy
Terrah Sullivan Harper-Archer Middle School
Janiyah Cowherd Samuel Inman Middle School
Daniel Bonner KIPP STRIVE Academy
Maria Nino-Suastegui Willis Sutton Middle School
Kacie Geter Sylvan Hills Middle School
Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal (first row, second); Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen, Ed.D (first row, third); REACH Georgia Board Member Stephanie Blank (second row, first); Atlanta Board of Education Members Leslie Grant, District 1; Byron D. Amos, District 2; Matt D. Westmoreland, District 3; and Steven Lee, District 5; and Counseling Coordinator Kenya J. Gilliard, Ph.D. (second row, right), welcome the APS REACH Georgia Scholars from the Class of 2020, as part of a statewide signing day ceremony. Photo Credit: Scott Clark King, Atlanta Public Schools
Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal read a commendation to the REACH Scholars by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and offered the students post-secondary planning advice. “Take advantage of the opportunities you are given, listen to your mentors and work with your academic counselors,” said Deal. “Give back to your community and keep record of the things that you are doing.” Georgia Student Finance Commission President Tricia Chastain and REACH Georgia Board Member Stephanie Blank congratulated the students on being selected as REACH Scholars.
Click here to watch the Atlanta Public Schools Class of 2020 REACH Georgia Signing Day Ceremony.
Ralph J. Bunche Middle School student Kameron Jenkins, along with his mother Nija Jones, sign his REACH Georgia Scholar contract in the amount of $10,000 before Atlanta Public Schools Deputy Superintendent David Jernigan, Superintendent Meria J. Carstarphen, Ed.D and Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal. Photo Credit: Scott Clark King, Atlanta Public Schools
As a part of the scholarship program, the students signed contracts to maintain a 2.5 grade point average, remain free of crime, drug, and behavior issues and meet with a volunteer mentor until they graduate from high school. Their parents or guardians also signed contracts to support their student’s education. When the REACH scholars graduate from high school, they will receive up to a $10,000 scholarship — $2,500 each year for up to four years to be used at a HOPE eligible Georgia two- or four-year college/university. Many colleges have matched the REACH scholarship and some have doubled the amount to provide scholars with additional resources for their education.
About the REACH Georgia Scholarship Program
Launched in 2012, the REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia Scholarship Program is a key program of Governor Nathan Deal’s Complete College Georgia Initiative. The needs-based mentorship and scholarship program is designed to encourage students, starting in middle school, to persist in their educational pursuits. Students are provided with the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school, access college, achieve post-secondary success, and to be prepared for the 21st Century workforce.
About Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving over 50,000 students across 98 learning sites. The district is organized into nine K-12 clusters with 80 schools, 18 charter schools and two citywide single-gender academies, where students are offered rigorous instructional programs that foster success in school and life. For more information, visit www.atlantapublicschools.us.