Esmeralda Lopez, a senior at Davis High in Yakima, has become one of 252 applicants chosen from across the US as a finalist for 2012 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars.

In the twenty-six years of the Coca-Cola Scholarship program, Ms Lopez is the very FIRST applicant selected from Central Washington.

 

April 12- 15, Lopez will join the other finalists in Atlanta, headquarters for the Coca-Cola company, to compete for four year college scholarships.  Fifty-two finalists will each earn a $20,000 scholarship, and the remaining 200 will receive a $10,000.  In other words, EVERY FINALIST IS ALREADY A WINNER!

Over this four day weekend, the finalists will be interviewed by the National Selection Committee, enjoy a tour and a wide range of events and activities. A special banquet will be held in honor of these finalists, celebrating their great accomplishments. The keynote speaker for this banquet is actor, Morgan Freeman.

Bill Dolsen, President of the family-owned Yakima Coca-Cola franchise, is hoping to also be in Atlanta to support Esmeralda at the Scholarship banquet.

“This is the first time anyone from our area has made it to the finals for a Coca-Cola Scholarship. I could not be more pleased.  Esmeralda is a very special young woman.”

This year there were more than 84,000 applicants and 2200 semifinalists.

 

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