GHS senior receives scholarship

A Germantown High School senior is being recognized by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for her leadership skills.

The award includes a $20,000 college scholarship. 

Julia Lever said being chosen for the 37th class of Coca-Cola Scholars was an honor. According to Lever, she was the only scholar chosen from Mississippi and the first ever from Germantown High School. 

“Needless to say, this was a momentous experience,” Lever said.

Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Foundation said Lever is one of 150 selected from 105,000+ applicants from across the country to receive this scholarship.

“Julia not only exemplifies superior leadership, service, and academics – Julia is a change agent, positively affecting others in the community,” Hopkins said.

Coca-Cola Scholars attended Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta from April 3 to April 6, where they were the guests of honor at the 37th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participated 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,” Hopkins said.

A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States, Hopkins said. With the addition of the 2025 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 7,050 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $87 million in scholarships over the course of 37 years.

“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.” 

Hopkins said. “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, those students selected as 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.” Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent initiatives include a podcast called The SIP (The Coke Scholars Ignite Podcast) and the ninth year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college. Every 5 years, all alumni are invited to a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit.