Alumni News | 06/26/2019

By: Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

2019 Educator of Distinction Awards

Each year, our new class of Scholars is given the opportunity to celebrate teachers and mentors who have had a significant impact on their intellectual and personal development with our Educator of Distinction award, and often their local Coca-Cola bottler is able to join the celebration!

Hager Rand from Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Co. presented Abdul-Rakeem Yakubu with his 2019 Coca-Cola Scholar certificate at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. Abdul-Rakeem’s Educator of Distinction is Dr. Michael Brandon.

Yannie Tan celebrated her Educator of Distinction, Peluchi Flores, with her local Coca-Cola bottler, Don Osborne from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United, at Atlanta International School.

Ryan Park was presented his 2019 Coke Scholar certificate (and a gift bag!) by his local Coca-Cola bottler, The Odom Corporation (Coca-Cola of Hawaii, left) at Punahou School.

Michelle Qin was presented her 2019 Coke Scholar certificate by her local bottler, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling, at Dos Pueblos High School. Her Educator of Distinction is Susie Stone.

Julia Lim was presented her 2019 Coke Scholar certificate (and a gift bag!) by her local Coca-Cola bottler, The Odom Corporation (Coca-Cola of Hawaii, right of Julia in upper right photo) at Konawaena High School .

David Spicer was awarded his Coca-Cola Scholar certificate by his local Coca-Cola bottler from Coca-Cola Bottling Co. United on the left, and celebrated his Educator of Distinction, Andrea McFarlain, on the right at Sulphur High School.

David wrote, “I am incredibly grateful to select my AP English Teacher and Beta Sponsor with an Educator of Distinction Award. She has been more than just a teacher; she is an amazing friend, who serves as my mentor and role model. She was the first person I told about being selected as a Coca-Cola Scholar – sorry mom and dad! I was surprised by and am thankful for my bottler, who came to my awards night.”

Carmen Ayon was presented her Coca-Cola Scholar certificate at the Grant Union High School awards ceremony by her local bottler, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. Her Educator of Distinction is Carmen Herrera.

Kim Covan (middle) from Ozarks Coca-Cola presented Sojas Wagle with his 2019 Coke Scholar certificate at Har-Ber High School, and he awarded Jennifer Sugg as his Educator of Distinction.

Daniela Velez presented her Educator of Distinction award to Sharon Bikoundou at American Heritage School Plantation.

Zhiwen Xu presented her Educator of Distinction award to Kelly Riley at Fayetteville High School.

Rafael Bitanga (right) with his Educator of Distinction, Walter Muelling (left), at Kodiak High School.

Jeremiah de Sesto presented his Educator of Distinction award to Jennifer McDaniel at Houston County High School.

Katy Brennan (middle left) presented her Educator of Distinction award to Tara Young (middle right) with the head of the English department (left) and the principal (right) at Vernon Hills High School.

Vanesa Carrillo and her Educator of Distinction, Dr. Octavio Sanchez, at Bel Air High School’s awards ceremony.

Wendy Qiu and her Educator of Distinction, Trent Wilkes, at Madison County High School.