District Five student named a Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist

Chapin High School student, Davis Ricks, has been named a semifinalist for the 2021 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.

Ricks is one of 22 students selected from South Carolina and one of 1,600 of 99,000+ applicants who were selected as a semifinalist nationwide.

“I applied for the Coca-Cola Scholarship program because I wanted to take my community service skills to the next level,” Ricks said. “I hope to be able to join a community of like-minded individuals where we could all work together for the greater good. As I develop into a semi-finalist, I feel like I am progressing into a stage where I can make the greatest impact.”

In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of alumni that have become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a podcast called The SIP, Coke Scholars Care (Coke Scholars doing good in the midst of the pandemic), and the fifth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.

“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them,” said Jane Hale, President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”

Semifinalists are now asked to complete Phase 2 applications, which include essays, a recommendation, and transcripts. An independent selection committee will review the applications and select 250 Regional Finalists by the end of January to participate in online interviews. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars will be named in March to receive a $20,000 college
scholarship and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development
Institute facilitated by program alumni.

“The Eagle family is incredibly proud of Davis for being selected as a semifinalist for the Coca-Cola Scholarship,” said Chapin High School Principal Michael Ames. “It is wonderful to see a student’s hard work and dedication to academics rewarded in this fashion.”

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-colascholarsfoundation.org.