Rock Valley College student Leigha Derango has been named has been named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.

Leigha is a Running Start student who will graduate simultaneously from Winnebago High School and Rock Valley College this spring. She plans to transfer to Loyola University-Chicago to major in chemistry. Leigha serves as the Vice President of Leadership in the Omicron Eta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at RVC and as president of her high school honor society. She is a student-athlete at Winnebago High School competing on both the golf and track teams.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver, and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held virtually April 8-10.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

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