SAN ANTONIO (February 15, 2008) – Emily Ranice Blackburn, a student at Blanco High School, has been selected as a semifinalist in the 20th anniversary class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. 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. With the 2008 class, more than 4,000 young scholars nationwide will have benefited from just over $35 million that the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has provided. The program recognizes a diverse group of extraordinary high school seniors who have demonstrated academic and civic excellence in their schools and communities.

She ranks with approximately 2,000 high school seniors who are in the running for $3 million in college scholarships that the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will award in spring 2008. Students are selected to advance to this next phase based on the level of academic excellence, leadership and achievement demonstrated in school and community activities. The Class of 2008 Coca-Cola Scholars will mark the 20th anniversary that the Foundation has awarded these scholarships.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation received more than 79,000 applications this year, and the Semifinalists are truly some of the brightest students in the country,” said Martin Arguello, Sales Center Manager for the San Antonio Coca-Cola Bottling Company. “We’re delighted to have such a bright and talented pool of students to consider for our 20th anniversary class.”

As semifinalists, students must submit additional information that will be reviewed in February 2008 by a committee comprised of 30 educators from high schools and universities throughout the United States. If advanced, Blackburn will be among a total of 250 Finalists who will travel to Atlanta

April 24 – 27, 2008 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 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola and to establish a legacy for the education of tomorrow’s leaders through college scholarships.