Sophia L., a senior at BASIS Scottsdale, is one of three BASIS Charter School students to be recognized as a 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar. This prestigious scholarship is only awarded to around 150 students each year. By becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar, Sophia has earned a $20,000 college scholarship and has joined a network of over 7,000 Coca-Cola Scholar alumni from around the country.
Sophia is a passionate advocate for education equality, with extensive experience serving on youth councils for local government offices. She even founded her own education-focused start up called iReach.
We caught up with Sophia to learn more about how her advocacy work led to her becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar!
How long have you been attending BASIS?
Sophia: Nine years! I started attending BASIS in 4th grade and I am now in 12th grade.
In your opinion, what makes BASIS Scottsdale different from other schools?
Sophia: The wide range of advanced courses offered at BASIS is really unique. I appreciate that BASIS has allowed me to pursue so many advanced STEM classes while furthering my interests in humanities at the same time.
The smaller size of the school also creates a much closer-knit community. I have fostered forever connections with my peers and my teachers, something that would not be possible at the same level at most other schools. The school administration is incredibly receptive to student ideas for improvement through the creation of student clubs and other programs. It is very apparent that the teachers and staff truly care about their students’ learning experience.
You recently became a 2025 Coca-Cola Scholar. What was your reaction to learning you had won this award?
Sophia: I still remember when I got the email telling me I was a Coke Scholar. I was in the car with three of my friends right after school. We all started cheering! Also, one of my best friends also got it, so we were so, so excited!
Can you tell us a bit about the college counseling at BASIS Scottsdale? How did your college counselor guide you through the process of identifying and applying for scholarships?
Sophia: The college counseling at BASIS Scottsdale has been both informative and supportive. From helping us find opportunities like the Coca-Cola Scholarship to submitting last minute transcripts and letters of recommendation, I am so grateful for all the help my college counselors have provided over the past couple of years. It is definitely a lot of work, since all the students at BASIS are so ambitious!
You are very involved with local and state governments, serving on the Governor’s Youth Commission and Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council. What sparked your interest in this type of work?
Sophia: I’ve always been interested in policymaking, especially in the realm of education policy. My grandma is completely illiterate and my grandpa was the first college student from his small village, so my family has really felt the impacts of education on social mobility and the trajectory of their lives.
Because I’ve seen firsthand educational discrepancies across different parts of Arizona, I aspire to make sure that students have access to educational resources. My goal is to help bridge the gaps in any way possible. Through the Governor’s Youth Commission and the Scottsdale Mayor’s Youth Council, I’ve been able to encourage youth civic participation through policy advising, town halls, and statewide webinars.
You co-founded the education nonprofit iReach. Can you tell us about what the organization does and how you came up with the idea?
Sophia: The organization was started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to bridge education gaps within the communities we saw around us. Following COVID, we were able to branch out to over 400 members, encouraging youth service in many aspects. From partnering with other nonprofits to hosting free summer camps, we were able to uplift students who wanted to help and also seeked help
Can you tell us about your Senior Project? What research question are you hoping to solve?
Sophia: My Senior Project connects both policy work with technology through the creation of an AI model that can predict high school dropout rates. In addition to predicting dropout rates, the AI model will identify significant predictors for dropping out of school. I am working under the guidance of the ASU School of Computing and Augmented Analysis to complete this project. My hope is that my insights can be used to inform targeted education policy approaches here in Arizona.
What are your plans following graduation?
Sophia: Following graduation, I plan to attend Stanford University. I will be studying public policy, economics, and data science.
Read about student achievement at BASIS Charter Schools
Congratulations again to Sophia for becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar! We are so proud of everything she’s accomplished, and we’re excited to see her continue to fight for education equality as she starts college.
BASIS Charter School students are constantly blowing us away with their amazing achievements! See what our students have been up to by visiting our Student Showcase page.
If you’re interested in joining our network of high-performing, tuition-free public charter schools, now’s your chance! Find a school near you and schedule a tour today to find out how BASIS could prepare your student for a lifetime of success.
