Wednesday, May 19, 2004

Worrall named 2004 Coca-Cola Scholar Jordan Meredith Worrall of Mcintosh High School has been recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school seniors by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and awarded a $4,000 Regional Coca-Cola Scholarship for college. 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, merit 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. In Peachtree City, the Foundation is supported by the financial commitment of the The Atlanta Coca-Cola Bottling Company/South and The Coca-Cola Company. “Jordan Meredith Worrall has shown an unwavering commitment to educational achievement, leadership and service to her school and community,” said Sandy Williams, Chairman of the Board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and President of Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works in Corinth, Miss. “The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to name Jordan Meredith Worrall as a 2004 Coca-Cola Scholar.” Worrall joined 249 of America’s most impressive high school students who competed for the 50 National Scholarships of $20,000 and 200 Regional scholarships of $4,000 during the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, held April 15-18 in Atlanta. Scholars were chosen from an initial applicant pool of nearly 80,000 representing approximately 16,000 high schools nationwide. The 2004 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars interviewed with a National Selection Committee representing education, business, government and arts leaders from across the country. The Committee evaluated the scholars on their academic achievements, school and community leadership, and their desire to succeed. During the Scholars Weekend, the 2004 class was also recognized at a banquet held in their honor. America’s first female astronaut and scientist Dr. Sally Ride gave the banquet keynote address and encouraged Scholars to reach for their dreams. Miss America 2004, Ericka Dunlap, a Coca-Cola Scholar Class of 2000, served as banquet emcee. Additionally, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation announced its partnership with the Corporation for National Service which provides an additional $500 to high school juniors and seniors through the Presidential Freedom Scholarship Program. The students must have contributed at least 100 hours of community service during the last year. This award is designed to reward and encourage activities that have a significant impact in meeting the needs of local communities. Also during the Scholars Weekend, the students participated in a community service project on 14 acres of wetlands along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, working to clear underbrush and collect trash. The Scholars also visited the World of Coca-Cola, CNN and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which marks its 16th year of funding in 2004, 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. Including the 2004 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars, there are now more than 3,000 Coca-Cola Scholars who have benefited from $25 million in scholarship awards.