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COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — A student in Idaho could soon give thanks to a soda brand for helping him pay for college.
Coeur d’Alene High School senior Kyle Rohlinger’s in the top one percent of applicants for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, a prize worth $20,000.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards an estimated $3.5 million every year to students.
“$20,000 is definitely a lot of money. I feel like it would help me not worry as much about paying off student debt,” said Rohlinger.
After it was announced he was a semi-finalist, Rohlinger had to write six more essays about his extra-curriculars and academic achievement. Now he waits to hear if he’ll be in the top 250 finalists.
Rohlinger says he keeps busy with his high school’s cross country and track teams, while also serving as Associated Student Body Vice President. He does all this while maintaining a 4.37 GPA.
He told KREM2 he is currently in five Advanced Placement (AP) classes in hopes of getting into one of his dream colleges. Some of the schools on his list are Duke University, Notre Dame, Stanford, Northwestern University, University of Tennessee and Clemson University.
“I run on a lot of energy and he even exhausts me because there is so much that he does,” Rohlinger’s mother, Linda Rohlinger, said. “He doesn’t like to talk about himself. He’s just jovial, fun and really easy going. He’s got a lot in his heart.”
When he’s not in the classroom, he’s out serving others. Growing up, he helped his mom run a book drive she started called “Books for Tots.”
Then in 2020, he started his own shoe drive known as “Shoes to Share” where he collects and distributes used shoes for families in need. Recently, he partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to further his reach.
But Rohlinger’s service extends outside of Idaho. He traveled all the way to Guatemala with a medical assistance organization, A Love for Missions Abroad, to also distribute shoes.
“I just like helping others and helping them have the best lives they can have,” Rohlinger said.
With an eye on the future, Rohlinger hopes to study business or architecture. He says he enjoys art, painting and building.
Because most of his colleges of choice are outside of Idaho, he says the Coca-Cola scholarship money will help with the out-of-state tuition costs.
Coca-Cola announces the top 250 finalists in mid-January. If he makes the list, Rohlinger will then participate in a final interview. From there, only 150 students will each receive a $20,000 dollar award.
“We were joking, its easier to get into Stanford than it is to be a semi-finalist to for the Coca Cola Scholarship,” Linda Rohlinger said.
Rohlinger is eager to hear the news as the holiday season kicks off. For now he is looking forward to finishing out his senior year and what opportunities his future brings.
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