Full-Tuition Awarded to 25 Students Through the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship
The class of 2026 represents the third group of students funded as part of a $2.8 million investment
Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship – Class of 2026
TAMPA, Fla.–(June 12, 2026)–Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) announces the Class of 2026 Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship® recipients. Twenty-five students received scholarships that cover tuition and most fees at Florida public four-year universities, two-year colleges, or technical/vocational schools.
“The Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship is a testament of our commitment to providing educational resources to the communities we serve and we’re proud to celebrate the third class of scholarship recipients who will pursue higher education at Florida colleges and trade schools,” said Shannon Smith, Sr. Director, Community and Stakeholder Engagement for Coke Florida. “With 25 more high school seniors awarded tuition-based scholarships this year, our program has now removed the financial barriers of funding college for 75 students and their families. Coke Florida’s support in this way is unlocking the potential of these young adults by helping to make what may have seemed impossible, possible!”
Members of the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship Class of 2026:
Zuleyma Barragan-Cisneros, Arcadia
Jodlly Bristol, West Palm Beach
Yarel Cruz, Winter Haven
Neji Flowers, St. Petersburg
Joel Francis, Lauderhill
Valery Gener, Miami
Llerli Isidro-Lucas, Mulberry
Melanie Leon-Diaz, Lakeland
Symiah McKenzy, Jacksonville
Kayla Montalvo, Miami
Keedar Murray, North Lauderdale
Sian Olivares, Immokalee
Andre Payen, North Miami
Devon Peterson, Sarasota
Jaylah Porter, North Lauderdale
Michelle Rodriguez, Plantation
Naomi Ross, Jacksonville
Jaydalynn Sanchez, Hollywood
Elizabeth Sibilia, Opa-Locka
Jamad Smiley, Opa-Locka
Kolton Smith, Jacksonville
Maria Suarez-Perez, Miami
Kamiya Timmons, Jacksonville
Kemely Valdes-Morales, Bradenton
Devon Williams, Orlando
The selected scholars are actively engaged with local affiliates of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida and the Boys & Girls Clubs Florida Alliance, which serve communities across Coke Florida’s exclusive 47-county sales and distribution territory.
Coke Florida hosted an awards ceremony on Saturday, June 6th in Orlando attended by the scholars, their family members, and community partners. Nico Flowers, a 2024 recipient of the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship, delivered inspirational remarks to the class of 2026 and shared an update on his college journey.
Scholarship recipients joined on stage at the awards ceremony with representatives from Coke Florida, Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Florida, and the Boys & Girls Clubs Florida Alliance.
The Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship launched in 2023, and is one of several long-term initiatives the company has pledged to demonstrate its ongoing community impact. In partnership with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship represents a $2.8 million investment to support 250 scholarships over ten years, expanding access to education for the next generation of leaders in our state.
For more on the Coke Florida Refreshing Minds Scholarship®, visit cokeflorida.com/scholarships/.
© 2026 Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC. “Refreshing Minds Scholarship” is a service mark of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC. The Caps and Gowns Design is a trademark of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC. The Coca-Cola Contour Bottle is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company.
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC (Coke Florida) is a strategic bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company and a growth-focused consumer packaged goods company. We are one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States with an exclusive territory that covers forty-seven counties in Florida. Coke Florida makes, sells, and distributes an every-occasion portfolio of beverages consisting of sparkling soft drinks, waters, teas, sports drinks, energy drinks, juices, and value-added dairy drinks. We drive positive economic impact in the communities we serve through employing over 5,000 associates and operating four GreenCircle Certified manufacturing facilities and eighteen distribution centers. Our investments in sustainability, education, and economic empowerment are the foundation of our commitment to helping build stronger communities. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Tampa, Coke Florida is also one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States. The company has been recognized as a US Best Managed Company Gold Standard Winner by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. To learn more, visit www.cokeflorida.com and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
