Education

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OAK BROOK, Ill., July 9 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities(R)(R) (RMHC(R)(R)) announced today the selection of four Hispanic high school seniors who will each receive an RMHC/HACER college scholarship of $100,000 to fulfill their college dreams. The students were selected for their academic achievement, financial need and community service.

"Through the RMHC/HACER national scholarship program, we strive to financially support the dreams of outstanding Hispanic students," said Martin J. Coyne, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc.

The RMHC/HACER National Scholarships are funded by a donation from McDonald's. Overall, the RMHC/HACER Scholarship Program has awarded more than $19.1 million since the establishment in 1985. The $100,000 national scholarships were first awarded last year to four recipients, who are currently attending at Harvard, M.I.T., Ramapo College of New Jersey, and Claremont McKenna College.

This year's scholarships were awarded to Sara Rodriguez, Los Angeles, attending Brown University; Luis Duran, Phoenix, attending Arizona State University; Stephanie Gomez, New York, attending College of Mount Saint Vincent; and Edmar Ordonez, Spring, TX, attending University of Houston.

"I could not believe I had been awarded the $100,000 RMHC/HACER National Scholarship but I am so excited to receive this great opportunity," said Stephanie Gomez. "Without this scholarship I'd have to select a more affordable university for my family and would have to give up my dream school. Now I plan to transfer to Columbia University in the near future."

Since 1985, RMHC/HACER has awarded more than $19.1 million in scholarships to nearly 13,000 Hispanic students in the U.S. RMHC/HACER is a program of Ronald McDonald House Charities and its local chapters, which provide scholarships in several regions of the country. RMHC/HACER is supported through the efforts of McDonald's owner/operators, local and national community leaders and individual donors. Applications for the 2010 scholarship program will be available in November 2009. For more information on the scholarship, workshop schedules and other resources, please visit www.MeEncanta.com.

About RMHC(R)
Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most: right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and regions and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room(R)(R) and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(R). RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world.

About McDonald's(R)
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants.

(C) 2009 McDonald's

A high-resolution image is available at http://www.hispanicprwire.com/home.php?l=in.

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities