The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program at Thomas County Central High School was recognized with a proclamation from Mayor Greg Hobbs to mark the week of September 17, 2017 as National GEAR UP Week in Thomasville, Georgia. The GEAR UP program is a federally funded, competitive grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
“We are proud to support the quality education programs that we have in our community,” said Mayor Greg Hobbs. “Programs such as GEAR UP are instrumental in helping all students achieve their highest potential.”
GEAR UP includes interventions such as tutoring, mentoring, rigorous academic preparation, financial education and college scholarships to improve access to higher education for low income, minority, and disadvantaged first-generation students and their families. GEAR UP Georgia is a partnership of Thomas County Central High School and serves 450 students in the Thomas County ninth grade Cohort. Statewide, the project will serve over 12,000 high need students in over 40 schools.
"For many TCCHS students, GEAR UP has enhanced the attention on planning for post-secondary education from the beginning of their high school careers," said Bob Dechman, Thomas County Schools Assistant Superintendent for Federal Programs and Accountability. "We appreciate the support of Mayor Hobbs as we implement this partnership with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. GEAR UP has allowed us to showcase the climate of academic achievement present at TCCHS."
(click picture to enlarge) Pictured left to right: Dawn Harrison, GEAR UP Local Program Coordinator; Dr Bob Dechman, Assistant Superintendent of Federal Programs and Accountability with Thomas County Schools; Mayor Hobbs; Mrs Trista Jones, Principal TCCHS; and Dr George Kornegay, Jr, Superintendent