Arlington H.S. Graduate is Awarded Scholarship

LAGRANGEVILLE – Keshav Ramji, an exceptional senior at Arlington High School in Lagrangeville, has been recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school leaders by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and has been awarded a $20,000 college scholarship. Ramji is one of 150 selected leaders from 93,075 applicants from across the country to receive this scholarship.

As a member of the 32nd class of Coca-Cola Scholars, Ramji not only exemplifies superior leadership, service, and academics – he is also a change agent, positively affecting others in the community. Excelling in academics, extracurricular activities and community leadership even during these difficult and uncertain times, students like Ramji are helping to create a brighter future.

“I strive toward ensuring that AI technology can be applied toward social good,” Ramji said.

“I believe that the machine learning app I developed to predict the incidence of Lyme disease was something that set me apart during the Coke Scholars application process.”

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. With the addition of the 2020 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 6,300 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $72 million in scholarships over the course of 32 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.” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Foundation. “The Coca-Cola system – including its local bottlers like Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages – 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 the fall, Ramji will be attending the University of Pennsylvania where he plans to major in Computer Science and Business.

“This scholarship gives me the confidence that my pursuits are valued and as I embark on a new academic journey, and I am grateful to have the support of the Coca-Cola Scholars family,” Ramji said. “In these unprecedented times that the pandemic has brought forth, I am honored to have received this scholarship that will help me toward pursuing my undergraduate education.”

In addition to receiving college scholarships, the new class of Coca-Cola Scholars joins a vibrant and growing family of alumni that serves as a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together.

Quarantine restrictions led to the cancellation of the annual Coke Scholars Weekend in Atlanta that was set for April, which normally includes a banquet with current and past scholars. Though celebrations were held remotely this year, local Coca-Cola Scholars received praise and best wishes from representatives of their local Coca-Cola bottler, Liberty Cola-Cola Beverages.

“We could not be more proud of the incredible students from our territory. As a group, they represent the best that our communities have to offer,” said Mayra Linares-Garcia, Vice President for Public Affairs and Communication at Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages. “While it is unfortunate that current circumstances prevented us all from celebrating in person, we are excited to welcome this group into a lifelong fraternity of excellence, and are excited to watch as they continue to positively impact their communities and the world around them for many years to come.”

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. With its 32nd class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation has provided more than $72 million in scholarships to over 6,300 program alumni who together have become a powerful force for positive change. Learn more at www.coca-colascholars.org.

Liberty Coca-Cola Beverages, LLC is a privately-owned bottler that operates production facilities in Philadelphia, PA, Moorestown, N.J., and Elmsford, N.Y. and sales and distribution centers in Philadelphia, PA, Marmora and South Brunswick, NJ; the Bronx, Maspeth, Elmsford, New Windsor, and Smithtown, NY.