Congratulations Meredith! More than 102,000 students nationwide applied and only 150 were chosen. We are so proud that one of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program recipients is from Springfield, Missouri.

This article originally appeared in the Springfield News-Leader on February 24, 2015

Glendale High School senior Meredith Waites has been named a winner in the nationwide Coca-Cola Scholars Program. For the honor, Waites received a $20,000 scholarship, according to a news release.

Waites, of Springfield, was chosen to be one of 150 scholars from a pool of more than 102,000 applicants from across the country for her outstanding leadership, academic achievements and dedication to community service.

She served as one of four Missouri finalists.

“I feel very accomplished, but at the same time I’m very surprised and shocked,” said Waites, in a news release. “I’m just a girl from Springfield, Missouri, I didn’t think I would be even close to be on the same level as some of the other finalists, so it’s such an honor to be considered for this scholarship.”

According to the release, Waites was notified of being named a Coca-Cola Scholar on Feb. 18, but it wasn’t the last good news she received on the snow day.

She was also named an Ingram Scholar at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Ingram Scholars are required not only to volunteer for community service but also design and implement projects that address specific community needs. Each scholar participates in community service projects at least 20 hours each month and receive a minimum of full-tuition and a stipend for a summer project.

Waites was one of 13 scholars who were selected from 831 applicants.

Central High senior Telyse Masaoay, Kickapoo High senior Boo Koss and Parkview High senior Hussain Rao were named semifinalists in the Coca-Cola Scholars competition.