While the cost of a higher education is on the rise, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities is making it possible for local graduating high school seniors to attend the college of their dreams. Atlanta RMHC, with the support of the Greater Atlanta McDonald’s Owners/Operators Association, will award $275,000 in scholarships to the class of 2017. The scholarships will go to 60 rising college freshmen from the greater Atlanta area.
 
John Zapata Mantilla Awarded $100,000 National Scholarship

Gordon Central High School student John Zapata Mantilla of Calhoun, Ga., is the recipient of a $100,000 national scholarship from Ronald McDonald House Charities. He will attend the University of Georgia and pursue a major in Business Administration. John was a tutor for his school’s honor society, mentored a small group of students at a nearby middle school and created a video for Sources of Strength, an organization that focuses on the prevention of suicide, bullying and substance abuse among teens. He was Treasurer of the National Honor Society and a member of the Warrior Academy Honor Society and Gordon County Youth Leadership Program.
 
The goal of the RMHC scholarship program is to help students better afford their college education with grants ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. This year, RMHC scholarship recipients will attend prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Brown University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Spelman College, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and many more.
 
“Atlanta RMHC understands the importance and value of a college degree, which is why the McDonald’s Owners/Operators Association is so committed to helping students in their pursuit of higher education,” said Vivian de Jesus, Atlanta RMHC board member, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and scholarship committee chair. “We are proud to provide our local high school seniors with these scholarships and look forward to supporting them in their future endeavors.”
 
The local RMHC scholarship program has awarded more than $3.4 million in scholarships to students since its inception in 1995. Nationally, Ronald McDonald House Charities has awarded more than $60 million.
                                                              
There are four individual RMHC scholarship programs:

· RMHC/ASIA – Asian Student Increasing Awareness Scholarship – Applicants must have at least one parent of Asian/Pacific-Islander heritage.

·RMHC/African American Future Achievers Scholarship – Applicants must have at least one parent of African American or Black Caribbean heritage.

· RMHC/HACER – Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources – Applicants must have at least one parent of Hispanic heritage.

· RMHC Scholars – All students may apply regardless of ethnic heritage. Asian, African American and Hispanic students are welcome to apply for the RMHC Scholars program provided they have not applied for one of the three scholarship programs.

Scholarship Awards Receptions for Recipients

A group of the Atlanta RMHC scholarship recipients were honored at a breakfast reception on Saturday, June 17 at the Ronald McDonald House near Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. A second group will be honored at a breakfast reception on Saturday, June 24.