Olathe East senior wins big scholarship

OLATHE, Kan. - Lars Hanson, a senior at Olathe East High School, has been selected as a member of the 2012 class of Coca-Cola Scholars.

As one of 252 students selected nationwide to receive a scholarship from the Coca-Cola Foundation, Hanson will begin college next fall at Kansas State University.

On April 12, Hanson will join the other finalists in Atlanta, where Coca-Cola has its headquarters, to compete for 52 four-year college scholarships of $20,000 and 200 four-year scholarships of $10,000. While in Atlanta, the finalists will interview with a national selection committee and participate in a range of activities, including a community-service project.

Hanson was selected as a finalist from more than 84,000 applicants and 2,200 semifinalists. Including the 2012 class, the foundation had provided more than 5,000 young scholars nationwide with nearly $48 million since its inception.