Four students from North Fulton middle schools signed commitments recently to graduate high school and accept a $10,000 college scholarship funded by the REACH Georgia program. The special signing event featured Gov. Nathan Deal, Fulton County Schools Superintendent Robert Avossa, Fulton school board members, principals, counselors, graduation coaches, and other district leaders.

Launched in 2012, the REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) Georgia program is a needs-based scholarship designed to promote academic success and expand access to higher education. More than 100 students across Georgia in 23 school systems signed contracts for the 2014-2015 school year, including: Claudia Munoz, Haynes Bridge Middle School; Sara Rahimpour, Taylor Road Middle School; Mirian Rivera, Elkins Pointe Mille School; and Sabrina Villa, Holcomb Bridge Middle School.

As a part of the program, the students signed contracts to maintain a certain grade point average; remain crime, drug and behavior issue free; and meet with a volunteer mentor until they graduate from high school. Parents and guardians also signed contracts to support their student through their education. When these 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 college. Many colleges are matching this scholarship and some are double matching the scholarship, providing scholars addition resources for their college education.

"By accepting the challenge to become a REACH Scholar, these students are taking the first step toward an exciting and rewarding future a college education," said Superintendent Avossa. "This was a proud, emotional day for all of us. This scholarship means that our young students, many who will be the first in their family to attend college, will have the financial ability to pursue a higher education and follow their dreams."