Norick named a Coca-Cola Scholar

A Columbia Falls High School senior was recently accepted as a national Coca-Cola Scholar. Colin Norick was recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school leaders and awarded with a $20,000 college scholarship.

As a member of the 29th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, Norick meets the program’s criteria of having superior leadership, service, and academics. He is also a “change agent,” who positively affects his community, according to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Norick has been involved with 4-H for 11 years, including as a club leader. He also started his own community service group called Team Leaders in the community. The group feeds families during the holidays and serves in the community kitchen.

He said last week that he started the group to involve teenagers who don’t normally get the chance to do community service.

Norick was selected from a pool of nearly 86,000 initial applicants from across the country. He noted that this scholarship is entirely merit based and doesn’t look at financial need. He won’t find out if he received any other large scholarships until April.

He has been accepted into Stanford University.

“I don’t fully know if I’m going there yet,” Norick said. He’s also waiting to hear from Yale University. He’s interested in studying artificial intelligence research or application, computer science, cognitive science and astronomy.

Norick also received a conditional job offer for the summer with the Department of Defense where he would be working with artificial intelligence on national security.

“It’s exciting,” he said.

In high school, Norick has participated in speech and debate and many science fairs. His science projects have taken second place at a national competition and placed internationally.

“Norick is part of a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors that have shown a steadfast commitment to educational excellence, leadership and service to the school and community,” said Claude Nielsen, chairman of the board of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and retired President and Chief Executive Officer of Coca-Cola Bottling Company United in Birmingham, Alabama.

On April 20, Norick will join other Coca-Cola Scholars as they travel to Atlanta, the international headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company, for Scholars Weekend.

During this four-day weekend, the scholars will participate in a Leadership Development Institute to further develop their leadership skills, tour local landmarks, engage with former Coca-Cola Scholars, and participate in a group community service project. The 150 Coca-Cola Scholars will also be the guests of honor at the 29th annual scholars banquet, where they will be celebrated by representatives from the Coca-Cola system, educators, local dignitaries, and friends of the Scholars Foundation. Jean Case, CEO of the Case Foundation and Chairman of the National Geographic Society Board of Trustees, will serve as the featured speaker.

In addition to receiving a $20,000 college scholarship, Norick will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing family of more than 5,700 alumni that fosters lasting connections with each other and the foundation. This alumni network has become a powerful force for positive change, coming together with a shared goal to refresh the world.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, a joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across America and The Coca-Cola Company, is one of the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship programs of its kind in the United States. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation was established in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola and to bring better to the world through investment in exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others.

The Foundation has awarded over 5,850 Coca-Cola Scholars with a total of $62.5 million in scholarships, including this year’s scholars.

The Coca-Cola system believes that investing in students who are leaders, both academically and in service to others, will result in positive, lasting change and sustainable communities.