REACH Day at the Capitol

Caption

February 29 was REACH Day at the Capitol. REACH Scholars, educators, legislators and other supports of the REACH Georgia program are pictured with Governor Nathan Deal.

ATLANTA - More than 50 REACH Scholars from across the state recently attended the first REACH Georgia Day at the Capitol. The Scholars were able to meet legislators, educators and supporters of the REACH Program, including Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal.

“The Georgia General Assembly was able to put a face to the Scholars who are benefitting from the State’s financial investment in the REACH Georgia Program,” said Marjie Dickey, executive director of the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) Program. “It also was a chance to have our students interact with REACH Scholars from other school districts.”

REACH is a needs-based mentorship and scholarship program that provides students with academic, social and financial support designed to encourage graduation from high school and additional postsecondary success. The visit to the State Capitol was a first for many of the Scholars as well as the coordinators, chaperones and mentors that are a vital part of the program’s success.

The day began with pictures with Governor Deal, who spearheaded the launch of the program in 2012. Two of the private businesses that have supported REACH from the beginning also attended the event. AT&T and Georgia Power each presented a check to Gov. Deal and the REACH Georgia Foundation in support of the program.

“The success of the REACH Georgia Program would not be possible without the generous bipartisan support of the Georgia General Assembly and our corporate partners like AT&T and Georgia Power,” said Chris Green, Senior Manager of Government & External Relations for GSFC. “Our corporate business partners were able to see first-hand the impact the REACH Georgia Program is having on Georgia’s youth.”

The scholars witnessed the day-to-day operations of the Capitol and were recognized by REACH Georgia Foundation member Stephanie Blank and Senator Mike Dugan in the State Senate and Chairman Bubber Epps in the Georgia House of Representatives.

“The General Assembly approves our appropriations to fund the program on a state level, but many legislators have personally given to the program, giving financial support and their time to the students of their communities,” Dickey said. “The members of the Georgia General Assembly are truly vital in expanding REACH to other counties, helping secure support with their constituents, the various school districts and being able to say first-hand how it improves the entire state.”

One of the goals of the program is for all Scholars to continue their education beyond high school. Representatives from the University System of Georgia (USG), Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) and the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA) were on hand to show their support and stress the importance of a college education.

“Programs like REACH are critical to our state’s continued efforts to increase access to higher education for all Georgians,” Green said. “I am so fortunate I had the opportunity to participate and I look forward to next year’s event.”

Check out more photos on Facebook.