Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation Names Class of 2010!

ATLANTA, February 5, 2010 – The Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation has recognized 253 of America’s outstanding high school seniors as Finalists and members of the Class of 2010 Coca−Cola Scholars. The 253 students have all demonstrated excellence in academics and civic leadership in extracurricular activities and in their communities. Later this spring, the foundation will award $20,000 national scholarships for college to 53 of the finalists and $10,000 regional scholarships for college to 200 of the finalists.

The Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation, a joint effort of Coca−Cola Bottlers across America and The Coca−Cola Company, is one of the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement scholarship programs of its kind in the United States. Including the 2010 Class of Coca−Cola Scholars, the foundation has awarded more than 4,529 Coca−Cola Scholars with nearly $42 million in scholarships. 2010 marks the 22nd consecutive year the foundation has awarded scholarships.

“The recipients represent extraordinary high school seniors from every state that have shown a resolute commitment to their studies, their schools and their communities,” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman of the Board of the Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation and Chairman and CEO of Coca−Cola Bottling Company United, Inc. “The Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to name them as 2010 Coca−Cola Scholars.”

The scholars will compete for the national scholarships of $20,000 and regional scholarships of $10,000 during the Coca−Cola Scholars Weekend, scheduled March 25 – 28, 2010 in Atlanta. Scholars were chosen from an initial applicant pool of more than 80,000 representing approximately 23,000 high schools nationwide. The 2010 Class of Coca−Cola Scholars will interview with a National Selection Committee representing education, business, government and arts leaders from across the country – all of them previous Coca−Cola Scholars.

The Coca−Cola Scholars Program is one of the most-recognized and respected corporate sponsored scholarships in America. The program was created in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca−Cola and to establish a legacy for the education of tomorrow’s leaders through college scholarships.