$321,125 in Scholarships Awarded to Local Students

Las Vegas, May 12, 2015 – Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Greater Las Vegas, McDonald’s Owner/Operators of Greater Las Vegas, and local community partners are proud to announce the RMHC of Greater Las Vegas Scholarship Program recipients for 2015.

One hundred and twenty four high school seniors and 49 college students who were previous recipients have been chosen to receive various scholarships offered through the RMHC of Greater Las Vegas Scholarship Program. A total amount of $321,125 will be awarded in 2015 on behalf of RMHC, McDonald’s, and local community partners.

“This program allows us the opportunity to help make a student’s dream come true,” says Alyson McCarthy, Executive Director of RMHC of Greater Las Vegas. “We know that a number of these students would not have the chance to go to college if it weren’t for the support they’re receiving from these scholarships.”

The RMHC of Greater Las Vegas Scholarship Program has awarded more than $3.8 million in scholarships to students in Clark and Nye counties since the Program began in 1999.

Local McDonald’s Owner/Operators help raise funds for the scholarship program by donating proceeds from every Las Vegas Review Journal newspaper sold at participating McDonald’s restaurants and by hosting an annual in-store fundraising event each April. Since 2002, McDonald’s has contributed more than $1.4 million to the local RMHC Scholarship Program.

“Paying for college can be tough and very expensive. In today’s economic climate, really good students, whose parents may be financially strapped, are facing the prospect of having to put their college dreams on hold indefinitely,” said Bob Powelson, local McDonald’s Owner/Operator.

RMHC of Greater Las Vegas has also partnered with several local community organizations in an effort to offer a wider scope of scholarship opportunities. These partners have contributed over $69,000.00 towards the 2015 Program:

  • 100 Black Men of Las Vegas
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
  • The Village Foundation, LJP
  • The Links Inc., Las Vegas Chapter
  • Hispanic Educators Association of Nevada
  • Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
  • Through The Eyes of a Child Foundation
  • United Firefighters Association of Southern Nevada

Scholarship recipients were chosen based on financial need, academic achievement, community involvement and future career goals. A committee made up of McDonald’s Owner/Operators, RMHC of Greater Las Vegas Board Members, and a diverse group of community leaders review and score the applications and make final recommendations to the RMHC of Greater Las Vegas Board of Trustees.

Scholarship recipients must attend an accredited post-secondary educational institution in the fall immediately following their high school graduation, and scholarship funds can only be used for tuition, books and supplies. All applicants must be a high school senior in Clark or Nye County, have a minimum un-weighted cumulative GPA of 2.70, and submit a complete application with all required documents. Applications are available online at www.rmhlv.org. in November, both participating McDonald’s and local high school counseling offices will have more information on the program and how to apply.

Among our recipients who will attend the Scholarship Program Award Ceremony are Alumni recipients Sara and Alyssa Caplan, as well as high school recipient Kamryn Cruz, who received the highest score by our judges.

Ronald McDonal House Charities of Greater Las Vegas Scholarship Program 2015 High School Recipients