November 10, 2025 — Dreams of college are even closer to reality for a handful of Cobb 8th graders, who now have the chance to earn up to $10,000 in scholarships thanks to REACH Georgia and the Cobb Schools Foundation.
The five REACH Scholarship recipients represent two middle schools:
Lindley Middle School:
- Benjamin Alberto Esteva
- Dylan Diaz
- Jael Ordonez-Cabrera
Palmer Middle School:
- Daniela Gonzalez
- Kobe Carmichael
"The foundation's mission is for the community to work together to take student success to new heights. That's why we're here tonight. It worked," said Joy Doss with the Cobb Schools Foundation.
Kobe said he hopes to play in the NFL or go into computer science, while Jael aspires to one day become a police officer or barber. As recipients of the REACH Scholarship, they now make those dreams more financially attainable for their families.
"Well, yeah. Yeah. It's huge. I'm the first one to ever go to college in my family. Military veteran. It's one less thing for sure to worry, to worry about. I didn't realize that it could happen so soon. I am so speechless about it, and I'm just really excited. And I know he'll utilize that support. The mentorship part of the scholarship is what I'm very excited about," said Kobe's mom, Britani Lee-Carmichael.
Those five students selected will need to maintain an overall 2.5 GPA, have good attendance, have good behavior and remain drug and crime free to receive the full scholarship upon graduation from high school.
