LOYA is focused on the support of deserving students from Greene and Putnam counties. They are unique — LOYA starts with mentoring programs for primary school students — Reading Buddies, then move on to elementary school students — lunch buddies, middle school students — Imagineers, and high school — College and Career Club. All programs are run and staffed by community volunteers. The College and Career Club in high school is a mentoring and coaching program focused on the road to post high school success through technical programs, college, and/or military service and training. 

The students are guided through the search for a vocation, completion of SAT/ACT, writing essays, completing applications, and completing the financial aide forms required by schools today. They award college scholarships and college assistance for students who are Pell eligible – a Federal program that identifies those with great financial need. 

The scholarship students must also meet the HOPE requirements (measures high academic history) and maintain HOPE eligibility in order to retain their scholarship. The mentoring program continues throughout their college career.

The results these scholars demonstrate are remarkable.

Jordan Harless graduated Summa Cum Laude in two years from the University of Georgia. 

Fall Semester 2020 scholars had the following outstanding achievements:

Eight students achieved Presidents List – 4.0 GPA (* indicates graduation early)

Jake Morris, GCSU class of May 2022, Computer Science 

Ricquaria Griggs*, SCAD class of May 2022, Fashion Design and Marketing

Leeah Collins*, GMC to GCSU class of May 2023, Education

Gabe Allred, GCSU to Georgia Tech class of May 2024, Chemical engineering

Kamryn Smith*, Georgia Southern University class of May 2022, Fashion Design and Marketing

Jada Burke, KSU class of May 2022, Education

Julisa Rojas*, Georgia State University class of December 2021, Anthropology

Andrew Harper, MGSU class of May 2021, Communications

Eight students achieved Dean’s List – 3.5 GPA * indicates Graduation early

Cristina Sanchez*, GCSU class of May 2021, Education

Destiny Kieu, UGA class of May 2022, Computer Science

Alexis Minchey, UNG class of May 2022, Graphic Design

Bryan Arreiola, MGSU class of May 2024, Business

Laila Pettigrew*, UGA class of December 2022, Business

Jordyn Burke, KSU class of May 2024, Occupational Therapy

Dianirra Hall, ASU class of December 2021, Graphic Design

Erykah Humphries, FVSU class of Dec 2021, Psychology

Marcus Jefferson, Reinhart College class of 2024, Education

The average cumulative GPA of all scholarship students continues at 3.6.

 Please consider sponsoring a deserving student. LOYA uses 99% of all donations to fund scholarships and college assistance.

xFor more information email LakeOconeeYouthAlliance@outlook.com or call 706-706-383-9333. Visit www.LakeOconeeYouthAlliance.org for information about more opportunities for volunteering and other opportunities for financial support.