Thomas County Central High School Assistant Principal Frank Delaney, spoke to the group and encouraged them to work hard to achieve their goals.

“You people have a golden opportunity,” Delaney said. “Work hard and keep your grades up.  If you don't want to learn, there's nobody in this world that can help you.  If you want to learn, there's nobody in this world that can stop you. Don't let anyone or anything stop you from getting that scholarship.”

When these scholars graduate from high school, they will receive up to a $10,000 scholarship to be used at a HOPE eligible Georgia two or four-year college.

After learning about the details of the scholarship, each student along with their parents or guardians signed the scholarship documents signifying their commitment to completing the scholarship requirements.

“Just as ‘Papa D’ has given back because of the opportunity afforded to him through his education, you all have the same opportunity to make a difference and give back tenfold as he has,” said TCMS Principal Jamie Thompson. “Take advantage of this opportunity and go out into the world and make us all proud.”

REACH Georgia was initially launched in 2012 at Georgia Institute of Technology and was only offered to five school systems.