Freehold Borough graduate
honored with scholarship
By dave benjamin
Staff Writer

Sunjay Mishra

FREEHOLD — A June graduate of Freehold Borough High School is the recipient of a $20,000 scholarship presented by the Coca-Cola Foundation, Atlanta, Ga.

Sunjay Mishra of Freehold Township, who will attend the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in the fall, has been recognized as one of the country’s most outstanding high school seniors with a national Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation college scholarship.

"Sunjay Mishra has demonstrated a commitment to educational achievement, leadership and service to his school and community," said J. Mark Davis, president, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Mishra is one of 52 young adults to receive the $20,000 college scholarship and one of 252 students from across the country benefiting from the scholarship program.

"I was elated, to say the least," Mishra said. "Not only for being awarded the scholarship money, but also for being awarded the prestige and respect that comes along with the name ‘national scholar.’ "

The scholars were named at the end of a year-long process that identified some of the nation’s best and brightest high school students, according to Christine Finke, spokeswoman for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Community service is a big part of the program, according to Finke. Volunteering efforts and employment throughout the school year, including the summer, in addition to school awards and local awards are also considered when selections are being made.

This summer Mishra is working as a computer programmer at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Princeton.

Toward the end of the selection process, Mishra joined the other finalists in Atlanta and participated in a scholars weekend.

"When I arrived in Atlanta, I was overwhelmed by the effort put forth by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation," Mishra said. "They reserved the top floor of the Renaissance Hotel for all of the scholars and they showered us with gifts ranging from hats to a copy of Microsoft Office 2000."

Mishra said he was most impressed by the caliber of students who joined him for the weekend, many of whom will be attending Harvard, Yale and Princeton in the fall.

During their stay, the students visited some of Atlanta’s most popular historic and tourist sites, including the Atlanta History Center, CNN, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and the World of Coca-Cola. They also participated in seminars and an interview process in front of a panel of judges that included members of Congress, former astronauts and college deans.

"My interview went smoothly," Mishra said. "I felt that I did my best and had a strong chance of getting a national scholarship and $20,000."

Students chosen as national scholars receive a $20,000 award, while those selected as regional scholars receive a $4,000 award.

"A week after my arrival home, my suspicions were confirmed when I opened an envelope and read the letter that officially recognized me as a national scholar," Mishra said. "To be chosen as one of the 52 students out of 117,000 applicants from across the nation is truly an honor and one that I will never forget."

According to Finke, the scholarship money is paid over a four-year period and the scholar must maintain suitable grades in order to qualify for the next year’s stipend.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is a joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers and the Coca-Cola Company. The program was created in 1986 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola. To date there are 2,000 scholars who have benefited from approximately $18 million in awards.