GENESEO — Geneseo High School senior Esref Onder of Colona has been named a semifinalist in the 2027 Coca-Cola Scholars Program, advancing to the next round of competition for a $20,000 college scholarship.
Onder was among 1,227 high school seniors selected nationwide from a pool of more than 113,000 applicants. Semifinalists were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership and service in school and community activities.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the nation’s largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program. The program is supported by The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola bottlers across the country.
Semifinalists will complete a second-round application that includes essays, recommendations and transcripts. An independent review committee will then select 250 regional finalists for interviews before naming 150 Coca-Cola Scholars.
“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 Paulsen, president of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
Students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will receive $20,000 college scholarships and participate in leadership development opportunities through the foundation.
Since its inception, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has awarded more than $93 million in scholarships to more than 7,300 students nationwide.
