Feb. 12 update: The list of 2008-09 Coca-Cola Scholars has been released. Although Isaac Chambers was not selected as one of the 252 scholars, being named a semifinalist was a major accomplishment in a program as competitive as this one. For a list of this year's scholars, click here. They will receive a total of $3 million in scholarships.

URBANA — Senior Isaac Chambers was been selected as a semifinalist in the 2008-09 Coca-Cola Scholars Program. Nearly 75,000 students applied this year, and only 2,142 have reached this stage in the competition.

Chambers is now working on his semifinalist application, which must be postmarked by Jan. 9. The reading committee will select approximately 250 Coca-Cola Scholars by mid-February.

All of those chosen will then be invited to Atlanta to attend a Scholars Weekend in April. They will interview for 50 national scholar awards of $20,000 each. The remaining 200 scholars will receive a regional scholar award of $10,000 apiece.

The competition is open to seniors only. They must carry a minimum GPA of 3.00 and must complete an online application.

According to the program's Web site, students are selected to advance "based on the level of academic excellence, leadership, and achievement demonstrated in school and community activities."

"For three years, I had the honor of being flown to the Coca-Cola Atlanta headquarters to read on the selection committee for this national award," said Lisa Micele, Uni's director of college counseling. "This is a very competitive group of students in the semifinalist pool. Isaac and Uni High should be most proud of this distinction!"