Key Points:
• Ridgeview Middle eighth-grader Jhoselin Carmona-Santana was named a REACH Scholar.
• The student must commit to graduating from high school and maintaining her GPA to earn a $10,000 scholarship.
Ridgeview Charter Middle School eighth-grade student Jhoselin Carmona-Santana’s commitment to finish high school will net her a $10,000 scholarship when she meets the requirements of a REACH scholar.
Carmona-Santana was nominated to become a REACH Scholar by two teachers when she was in seventh grade. Ridgeview counselor Kendrigus Stevenson said both teachers said Carmona-Santana was a well-deserved student because she works hard and she’s thoughtful, caring, and looks out for other people.
At a ceremony announcing the five Fulton County Schools REACH Scholars, Riverwood High School senior April Nares spoke about the program. Nares attended Spalding Drive Elementary and Ridgeview Charter Middle School before attending Riverwood, where she will graduate in 2026.
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• Ridgeview Middle student commits to REACH Georgia program
• Two Ridgeview Middle students awarded $10K scholarships
REACH Scholars must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average through high school and graduate to receive the $10,000 scholarship. A mentor helps them throughout the next five years of middle school and high school, meeting with them twice a month.
Stevenson said the process of becoming a REACH Scholar was not easy. The student nominees were required to apply after being nominated. An essay was part of the application. They also had to record a video. Each requirement had a deadline, and he said several students missed deadlines by a few days, which eliminated them from consideration.
“It is a tedious process for them, and it’s a big responsibility for the individual to take on to complete that task as well,” Stevenson said.
Carmona-Santana said education is important to her, “because with the knowledge that you can get, it helps you in the real life and helps you work to what you want to achieve.”
Some of her family members had dropped out of school. Their experiences taught her the importance of education.
“They don’t really have a good education, so their work doesn’t pay them as much, and they don’t really get to do whatever they want to do,” Carmona-Santana said.
As she continues her education as a REACH Scholar, Carmona-Santana said she wants to get good grades so she can choose to attend the best college. Her favorite courses are social studies and science.
The young scholar has dreams of becoming an immigration lawyer.
“My friends are immigrants and I’ve seen the experience of that, and I want to help other people not have fear of getting sent back, going back to some country,” Carmona-Santana said.
Outside of academics, Carmona-Santana is in the orchestra, playing the cello and viola. She’s first chair for the viola. Next semester, she plans to join the band and learn to play the trombone.