Scholarships help Dougherty middle school students get a jump-start on college careers

ALBANY – Two of three students who attended a REACH Scholarship award ceremony last week said they were sure of what they wanted to do in the future, even though they’re still in middle school.

Jalexia Figgins said her mind is set on the medical field. The Albany Middle School student, along with Robert Cross Middle School student Casey Betancourt, who was not able to attend, Ocean Lin of Merry Acres Middle School, and Reginald Williams Jr. from Radium Springs Middle School, were selected as the 2025 REACH scholar recipients.

Each of the high school-bound students who attended the luncheon at the Northwest Library facility is on track to receive a $10,000 scholarship and will receive mentoring through the statewide program to help them on their journey.

“I want to go to college to be a nurse,” Jalexia said. “I also want to go back and be a pediatrician. I want to be a pediatrician because my doctor helped me, and I want to be like my doctor helping other kids.”

Both Jalexia and her mom, Angela Jackson, said they are grateful for the opportunities available through REACH.

“It will really be a benefit to her going to college,” Jackson said. “It will really help financially.”

Reginald’s mother, Jalisa Boone, said she was “very excited” about the scholarship.

“He’s going to go to college and achieve every dream he has,” she said. “It’s possible.”

A three-year band member at Radium Springs, Reginald said he has a passion for entrepreneurship.

“I’m going to start my own trucking business,” he said. “I’m grateful for this opportunity.”

Ocean said he was not sure what career he wants to pursue in the future, but as a middle-schooler he has a few years to decide.

“Well, I’m thankful the school system decided to give me a scholarship,” he said. “It will really help out with college.”

During their high school careers the students will receive assistance through meetings with REACH and academic advisors, schools Superintendent Kennety Dyer said. Students are required to stay drug-free and crime-free, maintain a 2.5 grade-point average or better through high school.

The program was started in 2012 by Gov. Nathan Deal and has provided more than $36 million in scholarship funds to students since its inception, Dyer said.

Georgia-Pacific has been the sole local sponsor for the program for seven years, helping provide local matching dollars for the state funds.