CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 27, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CIAA Essay Contest Presented by Coca-Cola Consolidated and Food Lion awarded a total of $30,000 in scholarships to 14 deserving CIAA students on Saturday evening during the CIAA Tournament men’s championship game. The four grand prize winners included Bowie State University student Ruth Montgomery, Claflin University student Faith McKie, Johnson C. Smith student Adrien Simmons and Virginia State University student Kennedy James. Each student received a $5,000 scholarship.
In addition, all four grand prize winners attended the CIAA Tournament, and each received hotel accommodations, covered travel expenses, game tickets for two, step show tickets, exposure to corporate executives of Food Lion and Coca-Cola Consolidated, and participated in an on-court presentation acknowledging them during half-time of the men’s Championship game.
Ten first place winners, representing seven of the CIAA member institutions, also received a $1,000 grant.
The essay contest asked contestants to submit an essay on “How do you live the legacy of your institution in your community?” The essays were judged on originality/creativity, grammar/vocabulary and overall style.
Since its inception in 2011, the CIAA Essay Contest Presented by Coca-Cola Consolidated and Food Lion has awarded over $240,000 in scholarships to deserving CIAA students.
4 Grand Prize Winners ($5,000)
| Faith McKie | Claflin University |
| Ruth Montgomery | Bowie State University |
| Adrien Simmons | Johnson C. Smith University |
| Kennedy James | Virginia State University |
10 First Place Winners ($1,000)
| Cobi Heron | Bowie State University |
| Kai Deberry Bostick | Bowie State University |
| Chelsea Okoroh | Bowie State University |
| Caleb Green | Claflin University |
| Jaina Britt | Elizabeth City State University |
| Amari Black | Fayetteville State University |
| Antonio Rustin | Livingstone College |
| Quintin Jordan | Livingstone College |
| Torey Haynes | Shaw University |
| Tiffani Randolph | Winston-Salem State University |
About Food Lion
Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 63,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong commitment to affordability, freshness and the communities it serves. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has committed to provide 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020. Food Lion is a company of Delhaize America, a U.S. division of Zaandam-based Royal Ahold Delhaize Group. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com.
About Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc.
Coke Consolidated is the largest Coca-Cola bottler in the United States. Our Purpose is to honor God, serve others, pursue excellence and grow profitably. For 117 years, we have been deeply committed to the consumers, customers, and communities we serve and passionate about the broad portfolio of beverages and services we offer. We make, sell, and deliver beverages of The Coca-Cola Company and other partner companies in more than 300 brands and flavors to more than 66 million consumers in territories spanning 14 states and the District of Columbia.
Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Coke Consolidated is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “COKE.” More information about the company is available at www.cokeconsolidated.com. Follow Coke Consolidated on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.