May 08, 2008

Robbins named as 2008 Coca-Cola National Scholar

Ben Robbins, a senior at Grand Island Senior High School, has been selected as one of 50 National Scholars in the 2008 Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

As part of the award, Robbins will receive a $5,000 college scholarship annually for four years from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. As part of the program, Robbins selected Larry Uhing, a counselor at Grand Island Senior High School, to receive a Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction award.

Robbins, a member of the 20th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, has demonstrated academic excellence and civic excellence 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 scholarship programs of its kind in the United States. In Grand Island, the Foundation is supported by the financial commitment of Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. of Grand Island and The Coca-Cola Company. Including the 2008 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars, The Foundation has awarded more than 4,000 Coca-Cola Scholars with a total of $35 million in scholarships. 

"Ben Robbins 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 Sandy Williams, Chairman of the Board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and President of Corinth Coca-Cola Bottling Works in Corinth, MS. "The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to name Robbins as a 2008 Coca-Cola National Scholar."

Robbins joined 252 of America's most impressive high school students who competed for the 50 National Scholarships of $20,000 and 200 Regional scholarships of $10,000 during the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend, held April 24-27 in Atlanta, Ga. Scholars were chosen from an initial applicant pool of more than 80,000 representing approximately 23,000 high schools nationwide. The 2008 Class of Coca-Cola Scholars interviewed with a National Selection Committee representing education, business, government and arts leaders from across the country -- all of them previous Coca-Cola Scholars. The Committee evaluated the scholars on their academic achievements, school and community leadership, and their desire to succeed.

During the Scholars Weekend, the 2008 class was also recognized at a banquet held in their honor.  Robin Roberts, anchor of Good Morning America, gave the banquet keynote address and encouraged Scholars to position themselves for success. Also during the Scholars Weekend, the students participated in a seminar, participated in a community service project, toured CNN, the Georgia Aquarium, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and the World of Coca-Cola.

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.  

For more information, contact: Dr. Kent Mann, principal, Grand Island Senior High School, (308) 385-5950, kemann@gips.org; Jennifer Grizzle, Coca-Cola, (770) 409-1152; Darla Heeren, Coca-Cola Account Development Manager, 1617 Holland Drive, Grand Island, (308) 380-3124 (cell phone), dheeren@cokecce.com