Senior Haley H. Selected as Semifinalist in Prestigious Scholarship Program
Haley Harkness ‘19 with Mr. Matt Buchanan (left) and Mr. Adam Kronk at the Poetry Out Loud and Speech Contest in 2017.
Haley and her mom, Amie Harkness (left), at the 2018 girls’ soccer senior night.
La Lumiere senior Haley Harkness has been named a Semifinalist for the 2019 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the United States and The CocaCola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is one of the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship programs of its kind.
At La Lumiere, Haley has stood out for her skills in leadership and scholarship, and is especially dedicated to her studies in the sciences. She has earned multiple medals throughout her participation on La Lumiere’s Science Olympiad team and served as an intern at the University of Notre Dame’s QuarkNet lab during the summer of 2018. Additionally, she was the recipient of La Lumiere’s Excellence in 21st Century Math and Science Award and the Traute and Miller Bransfield Award––given to the junior who best portrays the La Lumiere ideal––for the 2017-2018 school year. She is currently serving her second term as the Admissions Prefect, which requires her to dedicate significant time outside of her schoolwork to organizing student help for admissions visit days and open houses, in addition to serving as a leader and voice for the student body along with the rest of the Prefect Board.
“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-Elect 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, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of alumni that have become a powerful force for positive change in the world––values that are also integral to the identity of La Lumiere School. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the Coca-Cola Scholars group strives to make a greater impact together. Recent events and initiatives include the 2018 Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit, a post-hurricane clean-up in Houston, and the third year of a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college.
Semifinalists are now asked to complete Phase 2 applications, which include essays, recommendations, and transcripts. An independent selection committee will review the applications and select 250 Regional Finalists by the end of January to participate in online or in-person interviews. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars will be named in March and come to Atlanta in April for a celebratory banquet and Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni.