Special to the North San Antonio Times

Four local high school students are among 21 San Antonio and surrounding area high school students selected as semifinalists for the 2006-2007 Coca-Cola Scholars Program.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is one of the largest corporate-sponsored,achievement-based scholarship programs of its kind in the United States. The program recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities.

Local students who have been selected as semifinalists are: Stephanie Garza, Incarnate Word High School; Elizabeth Monier, Keystone School; Alexandra Sterling, Alamo Heights High School; and Austin Wesevich, Alamo Heights High School.

These San Antonio students rank with approximately 2,100 seniors who are in the running for $3 million in college scholarships that the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will award. Students are selected based on the level of academic excellence, leadership and achievement demonstrated in school and community activities.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation received more than 87,000 applications this year, and the Semifinalists are truly some of the brightest students in the country,” said Jane Grout, sales-center manager for San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Co. “We’re delighted to have such a talented pool of students to consider.”

As semifinalists, students must submit additional information that will be reviewed this month by a committee comprised of 30 educators from high schools and universities throughout the United States. If advanced, the San Antonio students will be among a total of 250 finalists who will travel to Atlanta April 12 to 15 to attend the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend.

During their visit, they will attend a final interview process that will determine whether they are designated as either a National or Regional Scholar. The 50 National Scholars will each receive a $20,000 scholarship award, while the 200 Regional Scholars will receive a $10,000 scholarship.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was created in 1986 to commemorate the company’s 100th anniversary, and more than 3,750 scholars nationwide have benefited from nearly $32 million that the foundation has provided.