SANFORD -- Samuel Pasquale from Central Carolina Community College is one of 207 Phi Theta Kappa members named a 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Pasquale, from Apex, is enrolled in the Pre-Associate in Engineering college transfer pathway as a dual-enrollment student. He is currently a homeschooled high school senior.

The Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program helps new Phi Theta Kappa members defray educational expenses while enrolled in associate degree programs. Scholars are encouraged to assume leadership roles by participating in Society programs and are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, and leadership potential. More than 900 applications were received.

A total of $207,000 is awarded through the Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation provides $200,000 in funding for the scholarships, with $25,000 set aside for members who are veterans or active members of the United States military. The remaining amount is supported by donations to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and provides seven Global Leaders of Promise Scholarships, earmarked for international students.

"Firstly, I am grateful to the individuals who have funded and organized this scholarship in order to make it possible for students to receive this honor. I want to extend my deepest thanks to them for their time and effort in providing this scholarship. I would like to thank the team at Central Carolina Community College and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society for their effort in organizing this opportunity," said Pasquale. "I also would like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout my academic work and I would like to thank God for my academic abilities.

"Personally, this scholarship has shown me the importance of academic dedication and hard work. Excelling academically is not just about attaining a certain GPA or test score. It is about succeeding in life and personal growth. Individuals who work hard at their academics have the opportunity to be granted excellent scholarships and honors, be accepted into highly ranked universities and academic institutions, and be offered competitive and meaningful jobs once they enter the workplace," said Pasquale.

Pasquale says of his CCCC experience: "I enjoy the experience of taking quality classes taught by excellent professors who do their best to ensure that everyone in their class is as successful as possible. Additionally, I enjoy being able to complete coursework in high school that will count as college credit at a four-year university."

Pasquale's future plans include attending a four-year university to complete a degree in Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Cyber Security. "My career goal is to serve and defend the nation as a member of the U.S. Military," he said.

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 10 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation's colleges.

"Phi Theta Kappa was founded to recognize academic excellence. Today, the mission of Phi Theta Kappa takes it far beyond that. With help from corporate partners, like Coca-Cola, Phi Theta Kappa is able to help students meet their goals and dreams by providing financial assistance to these high achieving students. Samuel is a great example of a high achieving student who with help will go very far in his academic career," said Dr. Rodney Powell, who is the Advisor of the Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society at Central Carolina Community College.

For more information on Central Carolina Community College - which is dedicated to providing pathways to achievable dreams, visit www.cccc.edu.