January 2019 Connections

We are so grateful that 30 education professionals joined us in Atlanta earlier this month as part of our Program Reading Committee (PRC), including 8 Coca-Cola Scholar alumni – Robert Powers (2007), Marc Paulo Guzman (2006), Mike Woodward (2004), Nathan Alexander (2003), Devery Doran (2003), Carly Valenzuela (2009), Philip McAdoo (1989), and Beserat Kelati (2008). Thank you for helping us select our Regional Finalists!

Richie Mathes (2010), Rocio Ortega (2012), and Jasey Cardenas (2010) had an impromptu meet up in Washington, DC, over the holidays. Richie and Jasey reconnected after first meeting at their 2010 Scholars Weekend, and Jasey’s partner is Rocio’s grad school classmate at Georgetown.

Jolene Loetscher (1997) and her daughter Liberty supported Manaal Ali (2016) at her Sioux Falls feminine hygiene drive on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. “She embodies every day the life of service MLK hoped people would live.” Jolene said.

Nicole Knott (2003) and Kevin Shen (2000) came out to support singer/songwriter Gracie Schram (2016) at her first show in London. Gracie recently moved there to take classes for her last semester of college.

Cynthia Cottrell (1995) met up with retired CCSF president J. Mark Davis in Sydney. Mark is celebrating his retirement with a month-long trip in New Zealand. Follow along on Instagram at @scholarola.