Claire Bradford, a senior at Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, 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 38th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, Bradford not only exemplifi es superior leadership, service, and academics — She is a change agent, positively affecting others in the community, Coca-Cola representatives said. She is one of 150 selected from 107,000-plus applicants from across the country to receive the scholarship.

Coca-Cola Scholars will attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta April 23 through April 26, where they will be the guests of honor at the 38th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. Collectively, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will award $3.1 million in college scholarships to these outstanding young leaders.

Representatives said as a joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the US and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca- Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. With the addition of the 2026 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 7,200 Coke Scholars nationwide with more than $90 million in scholarships as it celebrates 40 years of impact since its founding in 1986.

“We believe that identifying these young leaders throughout the country and encouraging their passion for serving others not only empowers the students, but also lifts up those around them.” said Jane Hale Hopkins, president of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve, and the Coca- Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”

In addition to receiving college scholarships, the new Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a “vibrant and growing” community of alumni that has become a “powerful force for positive change in the world,” according to representatives. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together, representatives said. Unique opportunities include a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year scholars as they transition to college, professional and personal development programming, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit every five years. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation empowers visionary leaders refreshing the world. Celebrating 40 years of impact since 1986, the Foundation has provided more than $90 million in scholarships to over 7,200 Coke Scholars who together have become a powerful force for positive change.

Learn more at www.coca- colascholarsfoundation. org.