Los Alamos High School (LAHS) senior Alyssa Sun has been named a Regional Finalist for the 2026 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Courtesy/LAPS
LAPS News:
Los Alamos High School (LAHS) senior Alyssa Sun has been named a Regional Finalist for the 2026 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
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 2026 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 7,200 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $90 million in scholarships over the course of 38 years.
“We are so proud of Alyssa and all that she has accomplished here at LAHS,” Principal Eric Ziegler said. “She continues to push herself to achieve great heights, and I know she will do amazing things in the near future. She is well deserving of this recognition, and we are all rooting for her as she moves to the next round!”
As a student at LAHS, Sun has participated in Science Fair, Rotary Interact, Hilltalkers and DECA. She is also a National Honor Society member and Mu Alpha Theta, the math honor society.
“I also own small businesses on Etsy, designing and selling handmade stickers in my free time,” she said.
After graduation, Sun plans to major in applied mathematics, with interests in artificial intelligence and economic policy.
Sun was among 1,238 semifinalists selected from more than 107,000 initial applicants and is now one of just 250 students who have moved to the final selection phase, regional interviews. After these interviews are conducted in early February, 150 of the Regional Finalists will be designated as Coca-Cola Scholars-select and attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend April 23-26 in Atlanta, where they will be the guests of honor at the 38th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. Collectively, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will award $3.1 million in college scholarships to these outstanding young leaders.
“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 President of the Foundation Jane Hale Hopkins. “The Coca-Cola system is dedicated to giving back to the communities it serves, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is proud to be a part of that commitment.”
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing community of alumni that has become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Unique opportunities include a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college, professional and personal development programming, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit every 5 years.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. With its 38th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, the Foundation will have provided more than $90 million in scholarships to over 7,200 program alumni who together have become a powerful force for positive change. Learn more at www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.