Michaela Melara, a senior at Willow Canyon High School in Surprise, was selected as a semifinalist for the $20,000 Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship.

Melara is one of 1,609 semi-finalists chosen among 99,403 applicants this year for their outstanding leadership, academic achievements and dedication to their community. She is the only student from the West Valley selected as a semifinalist.

Melara is in the top 1 percent of her class and will be attending Northern Arizona University to study pre-medicine as a biology major in the fall 2021.

She is in the International Baccalaureate Diploma program at Willow Canyon and also serves as the president of Key Club, secretary of the National Honor Society, and serves as a member of both the International Baccalaureate Club and Health Occupations Students of America Club.

She volunteers her time with organizations throughout Surprise and has been on nationally and state-recognized spiritline team for four years.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

With the 32nd class in 2020, the Foundation has provided more than 6,300 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $72 million in educational support. About 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.