BUBBLING UP
Upper St. Clair and South Fayette high school students named Coca-Cola Scholars
Upper St. Clair High School senior Isaac Bernstein and South Fayette High School senior Alekhya Buragadda expect a lot of doors to open for them as Coca-Cola Scholars.
Both were among 150 seniors from across the nation who will receive a $20,000 scholarship and be honored during Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend April 25-28 in Atlanta.
The award is extremely competitive; less than one-sixth of 1% of applicants were chosen, according to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.
Recipients were selected from a pool of over 103,800 applicants for their superior leadership, service and academics and for being change agents, positively affecting others in their communities, according to the company. Bernstein and Alekhya are believed to be the first Coca-Cola Scholars at their schools.
Bernstein, 18, was a 2023 Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania 18 Under Eighteen honoree for his efforts to support the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. He has raised money by dressing up as the Easter Bunny and the Grinch at Christmas and organizing an inline hockey tournament.
As part of the High School Diplomats program, Bernstein also participated in a 10-day cultural enrichment experience in Japan last summer. He has served as a peer tutor throughout high school and is an accomplished percussionist who was chosen for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association All-State Band in 2023. In addition, he is a member of the National Honor Society and the World Affairs Club.
“Becoming a part of the CocaCola network is a real honor,” said Bernstein, who is considering studying public and international affairs at Princeton University. “Not only is the financial aspect significant, but also the chance to connect with other change makers all over the country and the world via the alumni network excites me.
“The connections I can establish will allow me to increase my support network and as an aspiring attorney, having increased relationships will help me both meet and advocate for more people, whether I’m searching for a professional opportunity or looking to hire potential employees.”
Patricia Palazzolo, a retired Upper St. Clair teacher, wrote a letter recommending Bernstein. She said he is smart, passionate and compassionate.
“He’s the real thing, like CocaCola,” she said. “I would campaign for him as president.”
Alekhya, 17, of McDonald, was a 2024 Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania 18 Under Eighteen honoree for her dedication to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
She is the founder and president of Women Welfare, a nonprofit dedicated to developing the skills of women in India through access to healthcare and education. An emergencymedical technician, she plans to choose a pre-medicine pathway in college.
She said being named a Coke Scholar is a dream.
“There are many deserving students doing amazing and inspirational work,” she said. “My focus has been to do the best I can to help where I see a need and to stay motivated toward my career goals.
“I have been so fortunate to have a supportive family, especially my mom, who has really been able to provide guidance with my nonprofit, and teachers helping me succeed.”
South Fayette mathematics department chairwoman Maureen
Sirc is one of those teachers. She said Alekhya is a quiet, determined leader who is good at collaborating.
“She brings people along with her,” Sirc said. “She’s unbelievably caring. ...She never gives up and takes initiative.”
A joint effort of the Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola bottlers across the country, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored achievementbased scholarship program in the U.S. counting the 2024 class, according to the company. The foundation will have provided more than 6,900 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $84 million in scholarships over 36 years.