Congratulations, Brittany!

Brittany Young, our student editor for the Carroll Times, is currently in a competition for a scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. In her interview, she told the Carroll Times that this scholarship is awarded to 150 top students in the nation, and in order to receive it, one must have grades that meet the Foundation’s standards, write multiple essays, and present themselves as impressive scholars over a Skype call interview. Every year, eighty-six thousand students apply for the Coca-Cola scholarship, which is soon narrowed to 1,900 semifinalists.

Brittany, as of February 2nd, has advanced to the step beyond semifinalist as a regional finalist, one of 250 students. She has achieved this status by writing four impressive essays on leadership and the meaning of service for her, as well as achieving an outstanding GPA, great class rank, and being involved in numerous activities. The next and final step is then becoming one of 150 finalists, and being awarded the $20,000 scholarship in Atlanta, Georgia, this April - an honor we all wish for Brittany as she continues through the final stage. If she wins, she plans to utilize the stipend to purchase textbooks for her undergraduate courses.

To advance to the status of regional finalist is a great honor, and to be awarded the the scholarship itself is even more prestigious. Brittany seeks to receive the scholarship, however, not simply for the gift it brings, but also for the community surrounding it. Brittany knows the circle of past recipients to be an interesting and incredibly talented group of people, who often hold events to collaborate and who each make profound differences in the world. Being granted the scholarship brings with it lifelong connections with some truly remarkable people.

Perhaps more students at Carroll are interested in the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation now! To them, Brittany said that her tip for later applicants is to be creative as you submit your essays, and to incorporate into them a piece of yourself. The essay is to verify each candidate’s writing skills, but also to shed light on something special and individual about the candidate. If written well, these essays will certainly capture the attention of those who read them. Brittany is grateful for the privilege of receiving the achievement of regional finalist, and we all wish her the best of luck as the time for Coca-Cola’s decision grows nearer. Congratulations, Brittany!