Itzel Orellana, a senior at Wooster High School, is competing for two of the nation's biggest college scholarships at the same time.
The Washoe County School District announced Oct. 29 that Orellana has been named a semi-finalist in both the Coca-Cola Scholars Program and the QuestBridge National College Match. She is first in her class and a member of the WCSD Student Voice panel.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Program awards 150 students each year a $20,000 college scholarship, according to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. About 1% of applicants are named semi-finalists, according to program materials. Semi-finalists complete a second application with essays, a transcript and a recommendation. From there, 250 advance as regional finalists for interviews, and 150 are ultimately selected as scholars.
The QuestBridge National College Match connects high-achieving seniors with full four-year scholarships valued at more than $360,000 to 55 top colleges, according to the district. Orellana will learn in the coming months whether she advances to finalist status in either competition, the district said.
Orellana is enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program at Wooster High School. She attended Corbett Elementary School and Vaughn Middle School before Wooster, according to the district. She participates in school clubs and activities and credits her teachers, counselors and family for helping her succeed.
She wants to become a speech therapist and environmental researcher and hopes to attend Boston University, the district said.
"If I'm scared of something, [I remember] that everything I ever wanted is on the other side of fear, so you just have to go for it," Orellana said, according to the district. "I just take the risks."
Wooster High School Principal David Kitchin said Orellana's character stands out as much as her academics.
"The biggest thing about Itzel, the thing that sets her apart, is that she just has a spirit that is full of joy and happiness," Kitchin said, according to the district. "Her joy and kindness set her apart as a student who represents our community incredibly well."
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation describes its program as the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship in the country. With the 2026 class, the foundation will have awarded more than $90 million in scholarships to over 7,200 students since 1986, according to the foundation.
QuestBridge Match results are scheduled for release Dec. 1, according to the program's timeline. Coca-Cola Scholars finalists typically learn their status early in the new year, with scholars confirmed in April, according to program materials.
