May 26, 2026 — With the help of the Cobb Schools Foundation, REACH Georgia partners with Cobb Schools to ensure every student has the best possible chance to succeed, no matter what set of circumstances they come from.
The REACH Scholarship is aimed at rising 8th-grade students who demonstrate academic promise but may not have the personal motivation, academic preparation, or financial support needed to pursue a postsecondary degree, diploma, or career certificate.
If students who are selected maintain a 2.5 HOPE-Calculated GPA, remain crime, drug, and behavior issue free, and meet with a volunteer mentor and academic coach until they graduate from high school, they are eligible to receive up to $10,000 toward a post-secondary scholarship.
This year, seven students from across Cobb Schools met the requirements and graduated with benefits from the REACH Scholarship.
At Pebblebrook, three seniors graduated after receiving mentorship and guidance along the way, thanks to this scholarship.
Zuriel Martinez-Galeno
This Pebblebrook graduate said the REACH scholarship helped him overcome issues at home, in the classroom, and in his personal life.
On days when Zuriel didn't feel motivated, he had the support of academic coaches, counselors, and the motivation to persevere because of the REACH Scholarship.
"Being a REACH graduate means a lot to both me and my family, especially since we have struggled financially for a long time. Receiving this scholarship helps remove some of the stress and burden that comes with paying for college. This alone is life-changing for us. Beyond the financial support, having a mentor through the program has also impacted me greatly. It gave me the opportunity to learn from someone with more life experience and gain a different perspective on education, growth, and success. Being a part of REACH has made me feel supported and reminded me that I’m not alone in this journey," said Zuriel.
Zuriel plans to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he plans to focus on automotive and aviation engineering.
Jayson Olakanye
On his journey to becoming a REACH graduate, it took a lot of patience and hard work, but he credits his success in part to this scholarship and the support he received along the way.
"Being a REACH grad means a lot to me because it shows how far I’ve come and everything I’ve pushed through to get here. It’s more than finishing school; it’s reaching a goal that at one point felt impossible. For my family, it’s a proud moment because they’ve been there through the stressful days, the setbacks, and all the hard work behind the scenes," said Jayson.
Jayson is still weighing his college options, but plans to major in computer science wherever he decides to attend.
Andy Lucas
With a mom who immigrated from Mexico and a dad who immigrated from Guatemala, Andy said he worked tirelessly during his time at Pebblebrook so that he could walk through doors that were never open to his family.
For him, that meant going to college and creating a brighter future for himself and his family.
"Getting here was not easy, showing up even when I didn't want to, even when I doubted myself, and even when life made it hard to focus on school. During these four years of high school, I questioned whether I was capable, smart, or strong enough to finish. Self-doubt is a real battle, and there were days it felt louder than anything else. I made a choice every single day to keep going anyway. I pushed through, knowing I was not doing it just for me but for them as well," said Andy.
Andy will attend Georgia State University and major in electrical engineering.
Pope, North Cobb, South Cobb, and McEachern high schools also had a REACH Scholarship graduate in the Class of 2026.
To read more about the REACH Scholarship and the support the Cobb Schools Foundation gives students, click HERE to learn more.
