That statement may come as no surprise to the people who regularly encounter Carter through her many academic, sports and volunteer activities. But a recent letter received by the energetic student reveals that the opinion is now also shared by representatives of the Coca Cola Scholars prestigious scholarship program.

In the program's 20th annual search for well-rounded high school seniors, Carter has been chosen as a semifinalist with the opportunity to earn one of 250 $10,000 or $20,000 scholarships to be used for the college of her choice.

One of approximately 2,000 high school seniors chosen out of more than 90,000 applications, Carter has earned the chance to compete for her piece of $3 million in college scholarships awarded by the Coca Cola Scholars Foundation this spring.

Carter found the application online in early fall and was notified shortly after fall break that she was invited to participate in the next step of the program.

"I love Coke," said Carter. "This is a Pepsi town, (but) I don't drink sodas. When I do drink a soda, it's Coke. Mostly I drink Gatorade or Dasani. Pepsi is too sweet, too much sugar. I don't need too much sugar."

To compete in the next step, Carter listed her many volunteer, academic, sporting and civic activities and the honors she has accumulated over the course of her academic and athletic careers. Along with the lengthy list, Carter enclosed two letters of recommendation from teachers who have worked with her in the past.

Finding teachers to sing her praises was not difficult for the outgoing student who puts her all into everything she does.

"I am proud of her," said Carter's mother, Macxine Carter. "I am a firm believer that (success) first starts at home, nurtured by parents and then the church. I think a lot of other people inspired her and a lot of credit goes to a lot of good teachers through the years."

"I really have been blessed with good teachers," said Carter.

Results of the next tier of competition are expected soon, with 250 winners traveling to Atlanta, Ga. for the Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend April 24 through 27. During the visit, candidates will go through a final interview process to determine their designation as National or Regional Coca-Cola Scholars, earning either $20,000 or $10,000, respectively, toward college tuition.