Siegel Advances in
Coca-Cola Scholars Contest
Huntington High School senior Natasha Siegel has been selected a semi-finalist in the 2011 Class of the Coca-Cola Scholars program, which has provided more than $40 million in college scholarships since it was founded in 1986.
This year's competition drew 71,000 entries. Ms. Siegel is among just 2,100 seniors who were named semi-finalists. The program will award $3 million in scholarships this year.
"The economy continues to affect many students' ability to attend the college of their choice, so it is critical we continue to stay the course," said Mark Davis, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Ms. Siegel was selected to advance to the next phase of the competition based on her academic excellence, leadership and achievement as demonstrated in school and community activities.
Mr. Davis described the semi-finalists as "truly some of the most accomplished students in the country." The group must now submit additional information, which will be reviewed by a committee of 30 high school and college educators from across the country. The panel will announce the selection 250 finalists in February. Members of that group will travel to Atlanta on April 14-17 to attend the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend.
Finalists will participate in a final interview process to determine whether they are designated national or regional scholars. The 50 National Scholars will earn $20,000 awards while the 200 Regional Scholars will each receive $10,000 scholarships. Two additional $20,000 scholarships are awarded. They include the Coca-Cola Emory Scholarship and the Sandy Williams Alumni Legacy Scholarship.
"This is a tremendous scholarship and a huge honor for our school," said Kitty R. Klein, Huntington's director of guidance and testing. Ms. Klein credited guidance counselor Jayne Hallet "for putting together such terrific scholarship information." Ms. Hallet publishes monthly scholarship bulletins. Guidance counselor Catherine Croke provided assistance to Ms. Siegel during the application process.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was created 25 years ago to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary and to establish a legacy for the education of tomorrow's leaders through college scholarships.