Six seniors will now receive $60,000 in college scholarships after successfully completing Bulloch County Schools’ five-year REACH Georgia Scholarship program.
The Bulloch County Board of Education and the Bulloch County Foundation for Public Education officially honored the seniors and their families at a reception on April 23, and recognized them during the Board’s public work session immediately afterward.
The scholars, originally selected in the eighth grade during the 2021 to 2022 school year, have successfully completed the rigorous commitment to academic excellence, regular school attendance, proper behavior, mentorship, and volunteerism. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship to use at any Georgia-participating university, college, or technical college.
“These students have worked hard to reach a goal,” said Richard Smith, interim superintendent of schools, before asking Katie Denmark, a social worker for the district and a REACH Georgia program mentor, to introduce the scholars, all of whom are on track to be named honor graduates.
“I’ve watched these children grow into fantastic people,” Denmark said.
Each scholar was presented with official cords to be worn with their graduation regalia by Dawn Tysinger, Ph.D., executive director of the district’s Student Wellness & Support Department.
The 2026 REACH Georgia Scholar cohort includes:
- Carmen Tillman (Portal Middle High School):The granddaughter of Sandra Roziar, Carmen plans to attend Georgia Southern University to major in film production. She has already sought ways to learn skills in the field. She’s served as a videographer for three years for her school’s athletics programs and was selected as an intern to apply those same skills with Georgia Southern Athletics. She has been dual-enrolled at Ogeechee Technical College for the past two years.
- Gabriella Lopez (William James Middle School; Statesboro High School): The daughter of Angie and Humberto Lopez, Gabriella plans to attend Augusta University and major in pre-medicine or dentistry.
- Ava Rooker (Langston Chapel Middle School; Statesboro High School): Ava is the daughter of Rusty and Summer Rooker. She plans to attend Georgia Southern University and pursue a double major in animation and computer science with a minor in psychology. “This scholarship has been the biggest push to help me continue my journey,” Ava said. “I’m the first in my immediate family to attend college, and I’m excited for the new environment and experiences that college will bring this fall.”
- Jazmine Lopez (Long County; Statesboro High School): Jazmine, originally selected as a REACH Scholar in Long County, transferred into Bulloch County’s program when she relocated to the district. She is the granddaughter of Bayardo and Sandra Lopez. She plans to attend Georgia Southern University and major in Psychology. Jazmine’s siblings, Noemi Silva and Anthony Lopez were in attendance on Thursday to support her. “My sister and I are the first in my family to attend college,” Jazmine said. “My sister, Noemi will graduate from Georgia Southern in May with a degree in criminal justice.”
- Amelia Sander (Southeast Bulloch Middle; Southeast Bulloch High School): Amelia is the daughter of Jamie Jennings and Mathew Sander. She plans to attend Georgia Southern University and major in criminology with a minor in psychology. While she dual-enrolled at GA Southern this year taking online courses, she looks forward to being on campus this fall.
- Alexis Morton (Southeast Bulloch Middle; Southeast Bulloch High School): Alexis is the daughter of Sonya and William Morton. She plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and major in animal science. Alexis couldn’t attend Thursday’s event because she was competing and representing her school and Bulloch County at the 98th Georgia FFA State Convention in Macon.
