StM News

Prestigious $20,000 Scholarship Honors Academic Excellence and Aspiring Healthcare Leaders

St. Martin’s Episcopal School is proud to celebrate senior Cole LaCoste, one of just 50 students selected nationwide for the 2025 Pfizer Future Physician Award, a highly competitive scholarship awarded to exceptional students pursuing careers in healthcare.

Out of more than 2,500 applicants, Cole stood out for his outstanding GPA and compelling essay submission. The scholarship—valued at $20,000 over four years—is awarded through the Rare Disease Hospital division of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and supports high-achieving students preparing to enter the medical field.

More than just a financial award, the Pfizer scholarship also opens doors to future internship and research opportunities with the company, positioning Cole for continued growth and real-world experience in one of the most impactful and rapidly evolving industries.

Cole is the son of Nicole and Stephen LaCoste of New Orleans. This fall, he will attend Rhodes College to study pre-med and play football. A member of the Cum Laude Society, Cole excelled in AP Computer Science, AP Calculus, and media arts. He completed research-focused summer programs at Georgetown and the Boston Leadership Institute, with capstone projects in cancer research and cardiovascular surgery. Cole was also VP of Student Government, the Black Student Union, and The Shield, a three-sport varsity athlete, and a member of the National Honor Society. He also devoted over 80 hours of volunteer service with Son of a Saint. 

Cole and his classmate, Lilly Bordelon, were the inaugural recipients of St. Martin’s STeaM diploma certification, an interdisciplinary distinction that reflects St. Martin’s Four-Dimensional Curriculum Framework. Through a combination of specialized coursework, co-curricular engagement, and a capstone research or internship experience, the program equips students with the skills and proficiencies needed for success in STEAM-related fields. Graduates who complete the certification are honored at graduation and gain a meaningful credential to showcase on college applications.

Later this summer, Cole will be honored with a commemorative plaque from Pfizer, celebrating this incredible achievement and his bright future ahead.