By: Kristin Miller

Three Madison County eighth graders began planning for college today, and they now have a better opportunity to be the first person in their family to graduate from college.

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal launched the REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen) program in 2012. Students B.J. Alewine, Draygon Brooks and Valerie Fielder signed contracts to receive $2,500 per year of college for up to four years. Local donors raise a portion of the funds and the rest of the scholarship is funded by REACH.

Although college is still a few years away for the scholarship winners, they have big plans for the future. Alewine aims to attend the University of Georgia and become a veterinarian. Brooks also wants to graduate from UGA and become an astronaut.

Fielder is still deciding between studying physical therapy or cosmetology and is considering in-state rivals UGA and Georgia Tech.