Congratulations are in order! Two Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School seniors, Ayani Milligan (Chesterfield) and Chris Qian (Chesterfield), have been named Semifinalists for the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
- 2027 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
- 1,227 high school seniors were selected as Semifinalists from a pool of more than 113,000 submitted applications from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities.
- The Semifinalists are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000.
A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2027 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 7,300 Coke Scholars nationwide with more than $93 million in scholarships over the course of 39 years.
“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Paulsen, President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
Semifinalists are now asked to complete Phase 2 applications, which include essays, a recommendation, and a transcript. An independent selection committee will review the applications and recommend 250 Regional Finalists in early January to take part in online interviews. 150 of the Regional Finalists will be named as Coke Scholars-select in late February and attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, April 15-18, 2027, where they will be the guests of honor at the 39th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. Upon completion of Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, they will be named official Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing 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. Unique opportunities include a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college, professional and personal development programming, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit every 5 years.
