Syosset High School senior Derek Chen is among 150 exceptional students from across the country chosen as a recipient of the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars Award. This honor places Derek in an esteemed group of future leaders, each receiving a $20,000 college scholarship.

Derek is part of the 37th class of Coca-Cola Scholars, a program that celebrates high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic achievement, and a commitment to community service. From a pool of over 105,000 applicants, Derek is one of less than 0.14% of students selected for this highly competitive scholarship.

As a Coca-Cola Scholar, Derek has the privilege of celebrating a teacher who, in his opinion, has greatly impacted his vision of education as a Coca-Cola Educator of Distinction. AP Biology and Premedical Anatomy & Physiology teacher at Syosset High School, Carisa Steinberg, wrote his letter of recommendation and played a pivotal role in the application process.

"Derek is one of the most capable, intelligent, and respectful students that I have ever taught in my 25 years in education," said Carisa Steinberg. "His goals have always been lofty—goals that many people would never envision. Yet, despite a myriad of obstacles, which would indubitably have stymied most other students, Derek views hindrances as opportunities to learn, be creative, and persist.” 

Since Derek's sophomore year, Ms. Steinberg has been mentoring Derek in leading Syosset's Global Health Club and the NGO he co-founded, Statice Health International. Over two years, they've raised over $10,000 for Gift of Life International to fund pediatric heart surgeries in developing countries and expanded Statice to a community of more than 3,400 students committed to advancing global health equity. 

In addition to the $20,000 scholarship, Derek will attend the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta this April, where he will participate in the Leadership Development Institute.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. Each year, the program recognizes young individuals who are poised to make significant contributions to their communities and the world. The Foundation has awarded over $87 million in scholarships since its inception and, with this latest class, will continue to support the next generation of leaders.