LOS ANGELES, May 31, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Southern California awarded $338,000 in scholarship funds to 111 exceptional high school seniors from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. The scholarships were presented during a recognition luncheon at the iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Downtown Los Angeles, where recipients were recognized and applauded by their parents, school counselors and Southern California McDonald's Owner/Operators.
Alysha Del Valle, KABC-TV's weekday morning traffic reporter opened the celebration with an enthusiastic congratulatory message to the 2014 RMHC of Southern California scholarship class and served as Master of Ceremonies. Grammy Award-winning producer and featured keynote speaker, 9th Wonder, delivered an inspiring message focused on overcoming obstacles on the way to achieving dreams, while stressing the importance of completing a college education and giving back to the community. Additionally, attendees had the unique experience to hear straight from 9th Wonder about his experiences with mega-super stars, including Jay-Z and Destiny's Child.
RMHC of Southern California awarded the scholarships through its four programs including: (RMHC)/African American Future Achievers, RMHC/Asian Pacific American Students Increasing Achievement (ASIA), RMHC/Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources (HACER) and RMHC/Scholars. The selected 111 recipients may apply their scholarship funds towards tuition, fees and other appropriate educational expenses.
"At such a young age, these students have already overcome incredible obstacles and demonstrated a passion for and dedication to achieving their dreams," said Vince Bryson, CEO, RMHC of Southern California. "For over 20 years, we've been a resource for students and families to help alleviate some of the financial strain of funding a higher education and today it is our privilege to congratulate these students for their outstanding academic achievements and wish them well as they set out towards a bright future of many more accomplishments."
Since 1990, RMHC of Southern California has awarded more than $4.5 million in scholarship funds to local students to help make their dreams of a college education a reality. Funding for these scholarships is made possible through the global and Southern California chapters of RMHC and the fundraising efforts of local McDonald's owner/operators and corporate staff. The McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California (MOASC) pays for all administrative costs of the scholarship programs, including the production and distribution of applications and the recipient recognition event.
For more than 35 years, RMHC of Southern California has been committed to providing comfort, care and support to children and families across the Southland. The organization is dedicated to creating a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy by operating six Ronald McDonald Houses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, a Community Grants program and scholarships.
MOASC is comprised of more than 600 franchised and company-owned McDonald's restaurants in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Follow us on Twitter: @McDonalds_SoCal.
Contact: | Sarah Stanley |
Sarah.Stanley@porternovelli.com | |
202-256-0456 (cell) |
SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California
