Patrick Colgan named as 2012 National Coca-Cola Scholar!
WHS senior takes top $20,000 award
Launch the media gallery 1 playerATLANTA, April 14, 2012 – Patrick Colgan, an exceptional senior at Wahoo High School in Wahoo, Nebraska, has been recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school seniors by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and has been awarded a $20,000 scholarship for college. As a member of the 24th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, Mr. Colgan has demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement in school and in the community.
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-based scholarship programs of its kind in the United States. In Wahoo, the Foundation is supported by the financial commitment of Coca-Cola Refreshments of Lincoln and The Coca-Cola Company. Including the 2012 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has awarded more than 5,000 Coca-Cola Scholars with a total of more than $47 million in scholarships.
“Patrick Colgan is part of a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors that have shown a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, leadership and service to the school and community,” said Claude Nielsen, Chairman of the Board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and President and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Bottling United Inc. Company in Birmingham, AL. “The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to name Mr. Colgan as a 2012 Coca-Cola National Scholar.”
Mr. Colgan joined 252 of America’s most impressive high school students for the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, held April 12-15 in Atlanta, GA to compete for 52 National Scholarships of $20,000 and 200 Regional scholarships of $10,000. Scholars were chosen from an initial applicant pool of nearly 84,000 representing approximately 23,000 high schools nationwide.
During the Scholars Weekend, the 2012 class was recognized at a banquet held in their honor. Philanthropist and Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman provided the banquet keynote address. Scholars also interviewed with a National Selection Committee representing education, business, government and arts leaders from across the country to determine their award amount, participated in seminars, toured local landmarks and participated in a community service project, painting recycled syrup concentrate drums donated by The Coca-Cola Company to be used as rain barrels by the Atlanta community.
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.
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For a full list of National and Regional scholars, their schools and local participating bottlers, please visit: https://coca-colascholars.org
Finalist article posted March 12, 2012:
Patrick Colgan Selected as Finalist for 2012 Coca-Cola Scholarship
WHS Senior Chosen from over 84,000 Applicants Nationally!
Patrick Colgan from Wahoo Public High School in Wahoo, Nebraska, has been selected as a member of the 2012 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars. As one of 252 high school seniors selected nationwide to receive a scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Colgan will begin college next fall at the school of his choice due to the generous support of Coca-Cola Refreshments of Lincoln, Nebraska and The Coca-Cola Company.
On April 12, Colgan will join other finalists as they travel to Atlanta, the international headquarters of The Coca Cola Company, to compete for 52 four-year college scholarships of $20,000 and 200 four-year scholarships of $10,000. Over the four-day weekend, the finalists will interview with a National Selection Committee, tour local landmarks, engage with former Coca-Coal Scholars and participate in a range of activities including a community service project. The 2012 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars will also be the guest of honor at the annual Scholars Banquet which will celebrate their great accomplishments. Joining in the celebration will be representatives from the Coca-Cola System, educators, local dignitaries and friends of the Scholars Foundation.
For more than a quarter of a century, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has been a premier provider of scholarships to young people across the nation who are helping shape a better future through civic engagement, community service and enlightened leadership. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation 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.
Including the 2012 Class of Scholars, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has provided more than 5,000 young scholars nationwide with nearly $48 million since the Foundation’s inception. The program is open to all high school seniors in the United States. Coca-Cola Scholars come from all 50 states and approximately 40% are minorities.
Colgan was selected as a finalist from more the 84,000 applicants and 2,200 semifinalists.