Two Texas Students Win $100,000 Each in Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway

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TYLER, Texas (TXAN 24) — Two Texas students are heading into the holidays with life-changing news after winning $100,000 each in the 18th annual Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway, held during Saturday’s College Football Conference Championship games.

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Francis Pham of Round Rock, TX, representing the Big Ten Championship toss, and Jesse Kompany of Arlington, TX, winner of the SEC Championship toss, both secured six-figure tuition awards after out-throwing their peers in Dr Pepper’s signature 30-second football toss competition.

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Pham, a University of Texas at San Antonio student, said the award brings him closer to his goal of becoming a dentist and serving communities across Texas through accessible dental care. Kompany’s win also marks another milestone for Dr Pepper’s long-running tradition of supporting students at a national level.

This year’s program awarded three grand prizes across the ACC, Big Ten, and SEC championship weekends, continuing Dr Pepper’s 30-year commitment to student education. The brand has contributed more than $20 million toward student tuition during that span.

The Tuition Giveaway remains one of college football’s most recognizable traditions, and past winners have gone on to careers ranging from music management to marketing and public service.