Two Lexington-Richland School District Five students have been named semifinalists for the 2024 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
Colby Braden (Chapin High School) and Andy Yang (Dutch Fork High) are two of 28 students selected from South Carolina and one of 1,514 of 103,800 applicants who were selected as semifinalists nationwide.
“I’m honored to be named a semifinalist in the 2023-2024 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, and hope to make it through the next round to become a finalist and eventually a Coca-Cola Scholar,” Braden said. “In college, I’m majoring in Chemical Engineering with a focus in pre-medical studies. Once out of undergrad, I plan on going to graduate school and obtaining my Masters in business, and then applying to med school in hopes to pursue a career in healthcare.”
Chapin High School Principal Ed Davis said, “Colby is one of our best and brightest students. He is very smart and he works hard at everything he does! He has done what is necessary to put himself in this position and there is no one more deserving. We are so proud of him and we wish him the best of luck!”
Andy Yang wants to major in political science and become a lawyer after graduation. “I am honored to be named as a Coca-Cola Scholarship semifinalist and I want to continue to serve my community and impact others,” Yang said.
“We are so proud of Andy Yang for being named a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist,” Dutch Fork High School Principal Dr. Gerald Gary said. “He truly leads by example – and is such a great role model, not only in our STEM Honors program but to Dutch Fork High and the district as well. We are rooting for him.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant community of alumni that has become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Initiatives include a podcast called The SIP (The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast) and the eighth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.
Semifinalists are submitting their Semifinalist applications to be reviewed by the Coca-Cola Program Reading Committee. After this review, 250 will advance as Regional Finalists, with 150 becoming Coca-Cola Scholars and receiving a $20,000 college scholarship.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. With its 35th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has provided more than $81 million in scholarships to over 6,750 program alumni who together have become a powerful force for positive change. Learn more at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.
