The Georgia Writers Museum (GWM) in Eatonton, Georgia, recently hosted a Lake Oconee Youth Alliance (LOYA) Scholarship and Assistance Program event. The program helps college-bound PELL-eligible students in Greene and Putnam counties who are accepted to a two- or four-year Georgia college. LOYA awards $8,000 scholarships, $2,000 each year up to four years of undergraduate studies, that is paid directly to the student’s college. This year 13 new students received the $2,000 LOYA scholarship going into their freshman year of undergraduate studies. These scholarships make the college dreams and experiences possible for many local students.
Since its beginning in 2017, the Youth Alliance Assistance Scholarship has enabled a total of 90 students to attend Georgia colleges. The program’s success is evident; since 2018, 42 students receiving scholarships have delivered a 98% college retention rate, with an overall 3.5 cumulative GPA. LOYA is now looking forward to celebrating 17 college graduates by 2022!
The assistance program provides a college dorm package with comforters, sheets, towels, bath supplies and personal items, a laptop computer, textbooks, fees, and transportation, all selected by the student. There were many happy and hopeful faces leaving Georgia Writers Museum last week as the 34 students receiving LOYA assistance in 2022 picked up their customized, monogrammed dorm packages and PC’s. Going forward, each student also has a mentor who provides care, consultation, and advice during their college experience.
GWM supports LOYA’s educational events, their students, and families, in part with the goal of offering meaningful role models of local and famous Georgia writers to area students. Sharing a strong belief that education is the foundation for individual and community success, LOYA and GWM partner to develop and deliver education-based opportunities and programs for lake country area students.
LOYA support and partnership with GWM began years ago with a successful and popular program called “Imagineers”, led by wellknown, local published writer and former GWM Board President, George Heiring, who coached middle school students on how to become a “writer”.
Both nonprofits are able to continue their work only through individual, donations, grants and financial support from the community. To support LOYA’s Scholarship and Assistance Program, visit www. LakeOconeeYouthAlliance.org. Your entire gift will be used to support a deserving student. Georgia Writers Museum welcomes your donations and support at www.georgiawritersmuseum.org, to continue educating current and future writers, promoting today’s Georgia writers, and celebrating Georgia’s rich literary history. Your donations are greatly appreciated and enable you to have a direct impact on your local community.
-Contributed