LHS student selected finalist for scholarship

Caitlin Weber, a Lampasas High School student, has been selected as a semifinalist in the 20th anniversary class of the Coca- Cola Scholars Program.

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 program of its kind in the U.S.

With the 2008 class, more than 4,000 young scholars nationwide will have earned just over $35 million the foundation has provided.

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

Miss Weber ranks with approximately 2,000 high school seniors who are in the running for $3 million in college scholarships to be awarded in the spring.

Students are selected to advance to this next phase based on the level of academic excellence, leadership and achievement demonstrated in school and community activities.

More than 79,000 applications were received this year.

Semifinalists must submit additional information that will be reviewed this month by a committee comprised of 30 educators form high schools and universities across the U.S.

If advanced, Miss Weber will be among 250 finalists who will travel to Atlanta April 24-27 to attend the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend. They will attend a final interview process to determine whether they are designated as either a national or regional scholar.

The 50 national scholars will receive a $20,000 scholarship, and the 200 regional scholars will receive a $10,000 stipend.