LCH’s Evans Named Coca-Cola Scholar Semifinalist

 Jeremy Evans
Jeremy Evans

Jeremy Evans, a senior at Lake City High School, has been named a semifinalist for the 2017 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. With the 2016 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 5,700 Scholars nationwide with over $66 million in scholarships.

“As a premier scholarship provider, we recognize our role in helping young people achieve their college goals,” said Mark Davis, President of the Foundation. “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. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation received nearly 86,000 applications this year, and the Semifinalists are truly some of the most accomplished students in the country.”

Evans ranks with approximately 1,900 high school seniors who are in the running for 150 college scholarships worth $20,000 each. Students are selected to advance to this next phase based on academic excellence, leadership and service demonstrated in school and community activities. The class of 2017 Coca-Cola Scholars will mark the 29thconsecutive year that the Foundation has awarded scholarships.

Evans said he plans to attend either Coastal Carolina University or Appalachian State University and major in biology with plans to attend medical school and specialize in oncology. “Getting this scholarship would be an enormous help in my education,” he said. Evans added that whether he receives the scholarship will determine if he stays in-state for college or goes out of state.

At first, Evans said he didn’t think he would apply for the scholarship because he knew there would be a large number of applicants. “Ms. Tressia Gibbs encouraged me and worked with my on the application,” he said, adding that he submitted the online application just before the deadline. “I’m so glad now that I applied,” Evans said.

Evans also is a semifinalist for the Most Valuable Student scholarship, another $20,000 renewable scholarship awarded by the Elks National Foundation.

Evans is active in extracurricular activities at Lake City High School as well as in the community while maintaining a 4.8 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and participates in the school’s Teacher Cadet program. He also was selected as one of 24 participants in Junior Leadership Program of Florence County, a nine-month program is for rising sophomore and juniors. The program dedicates one day a month to learning about a certain aspect of the community and will incorporate site visits and team-building exercises.

Evans also serves as president of Dramatic Coffee Beans, an interactive drama club that provides a way for teenagers to discuss issues in their community. During the summers, Evans volunteers at St. Joseph of the Pines, an assisted living facility in Southern Pines, NC.

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 fosters lasting connections with its members. No other scholarship program maintains such lifetime connections or nurtures such a unique culture. Coca-Cola Scholar alumni stay in touch through regional councils, special events, and though their local Coca-Cola bottling facilities. In 2006, a Coca-Cola Scholar Alumni Advisory Board was created to build on the efforts of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation through networking, mentoring, collaborations and friendships in order to make an even greater positive impact together.

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. The program recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities.

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.