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3 eighth graders awarded $10K REACH GA Scholarships 2022-2023
Posted on 12/08/2022
Pictured, left to right: Rockdale County Board of Education member and RCPS Foundation Treasurer Heather Duncan, RCPS Foundation Chairwoman Susan Paul Smith, RCPS Foundation member Robin Berry, REACH Scholars Oyinkansola Omotoso (Memorial Middle School), Brielle Burrow (Edwards Middle School), Patrick Fovie (Conyers Middle School), RCPS Foundation member Winston Neil, RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts.Conyers, Ga. – Three more Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) eighth grade students embarked on a life-changing journey as the district’s newest cohort of REACH Georgia Scholars – Brielle Burrow of Edwards Middle School, Patrick Fovie of Conyers Middle School, Oyinkansola Omotoso of Memorial Middle School. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship upon completion of the REACH Georgia program and high school graduation.

Each REACH Georgia Scholar, their parents, and administrators signed letters of commitment to the five-year program during a ceremony held November 17, 2022. RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts, RCPS Foundation board members, school leaders, counselors, staff, and family members attended the signing ceremony in a show of community support.

The program and scholarships are made possible by support from the RCPS Foundation, which takes the lead in fundraising for the program, and the Georgia Student Finance Commission. This is the fifth cohort of the REACH Georgia program in RCPS. REACH Georgia Scholars are selected based on grades, behavior, and recommendations.

“I am elated that our students have this opportunity and the community support that makes this possible,” said RCPS Director of Community and Student Support and RCPS REACH Georgia Coordinator April Fallon. “REACH is a strategic investment in our students and our state, opening doors for youth who may not have the opportunity to seek post-secondary education due to financial constraints. The on-going support of the RCPS Foundation and the engagement of our business partners and community are game-changers in the lives of these students.”

Beginning in the eighth grade and through high school, REACH Scholars are paired with a mentor and an academic coach. Scholars must maintain good grades, behavior and attendance. Scholars who successfully complete the program and graduate from high school are awarded a $10,000 scholarship that can be used at any university or college in the University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, or eligible private post-secondary institution. The scholarship is in addition to any other grant or scholarship the student receives.

The mission of REACH, which stands for "Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen," is to ensure that Georgia’s academically promising students have the academic, social, and financial support needed to graduate from high school and college ready for a successful career.

For more information, please contact April Fallon at [email protected] or visit the RCPS Foundation website at rcpsfoundation.com or the REACH Georgia website at reachga.org



Pictured below, left to right: Rockdale County Board of Education member and RCPS Foundation Treasurer Heather Duncan, RCPS Foundation Chairwoman Susan Paul Smith, RCPS Foundation member Robin Berry, REACH Scholars Oyinkansola Omotoso (Memorial Middle School), Brielle Burrow (Edwards Middle School), Patrick Fovie (Conyers Middle School), RCPS Foundation member Winston Neil, RCPS Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts.

Pictured, left to right, at hte November 14, 2022 signing ceremony held during the Board of Education meeting: Rockdale County Board of Education member and RCPS Foundation Treasurer Heather Duncan, RCPS Foundation Chairwoman Susan Paul Smith, RCPS Foundation member Robin Berry, REACH Scholars Oyinkansola Omotoso (Memorial Middle School), Brielle Burrow (Edwards Middle School), Patrick Fovie (Conyers Middle School), RCPS Foundation member Winston Neil, Rockdale County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts.