3 TSD Students Named Coca-Cola Scholars Semi-Finalists

Three TSD seniors at Troy and Athens High Schools are among only 23 semifinalists in the state of Michigan (out of only 1,609 semifinalists nationwide, selected from 99,403 applicants nationally, an impressive 1.6%) chosen for the 2021 class of the prestigious Coca‑Cola Scholars Program. Athens senior Audrey Apahidean and Troy seniors Abigail Liang and Om Shah are currently submitting their Semifinalist applications to be reviewed by the Program Reading Committee, with hopes to be selected as one of 250 Regional Finalists, and ultimately becoming Coca-Cola Scholars.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. THS semifinalist Abby Liang is proud of this designation. “Being recognized as a Semifinalist is an honor, and testament to my leadership, academics, and dedication to the community. At Troy High, I lead several clubs such as Project LEAD, where I ran a holiday food drive in 2018 raising over 2,600 items. That was perhaps one of my favorite moments of all my service activities in high school, organizing it with administrators, teachers, students, Gleaners Food Bank, and my club advisor Mrs. Loucks. I love that the motto of the Coca-Cola program is Refreshing the World, and I am excited to see where my service projects take me next!”

As semifinalists, Audrey, Abigail and Om will complete Phase 2 applications, which include essays, recommendations, and transcripts. An independent selection committee will review the applications and select 250 Regional Finalists by the end of January to participate in virtual interviews. 150 Coca‑Cola Scholars will be named in March 2021 and each will receive a $20,000 scholarship.

“We are lucky to celebrate young people who push themselves beyond what they have been given to achieve great success,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.” Superintendent Dr. Rich Machesky is also proud of these future leaders: “I’m extremely impressed by and proud of these wonderful students who will be incredible ambassadors for not only our District, but for the whole city of Troy.”

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. With its 32nd class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has provided more than $72 million in scholarships to over 6,300 program alumni who together have become a powerful force for positive change. Learn more at www.coca-colascholars.org.

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Photos courtesy of Troy Schools