Nation’s Premiere Scholarship Program Awards Columbia, SC Student $20,000 for College
ATLANTA, March 6, 2017 – Jenning Chen, an exceptional senior at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, SC, has been recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school leaders by the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation and has been awarded a $20,000 college scholarship. As a member of the 29th class of Coca Cola Scholars, Miss Chen not only exemplifies superior leadership, service, and academics – she is a change agent, positively affecting others in her community. Jenning Chen was selected from a pool of nearly 86,000 initial applicants from across the country.
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 Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was established in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola and to bring better to the world through investment in exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others. Including the 2017 class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has awarded over 5,850 Coca Cola Scholars with a total of $62.5 million in scholarships. The Coca-Cola system believes that investing in students who are leaders, both academically and in service to others, will result in positive, lasting change and sustainable communities.
“Jenning Chen 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 retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United in Birmingham, AL. “The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to name Miss Chen as a 2017 Coca-Cola Scholar.”
On April 20, Chen will join other Coca-Cola Scholars as they travel to Atlanta, the international headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, for Scholars Weekend. During this four-day weekend, the Scholars will participate in a Leadership Development Institute to further develop their leadership skills, tour local landmarks, engage with former Coca-Cola Scholars, and participate in a group community service project. The 150 Coca-Cola Scholars will also be the guests of honor at the 29th annual Scholars Banquet, where they will be celebrated by representatives from the Coca-Cola system, educators, local dignitaries, and friends of the Scholars Foundation. Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and Chairman of the National Geographic Society Board of Trustees, will serve as the featured speaker.
In addition to receiving a $20,000 college scholarship, Chen will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of 5,700+ alumni that fosters lasting connections with each other and the Foundation. This alumni network has become a powerful force for positive change, coming together with a shared goal to refresh the world.
For a full list of 2017 Coca-Cola Scholars and their high schools, please visit: