Schools

Brenda Yik Of North Haven Receives Ronald McDonald House Charities® Scholarship

Yik One of 22 Area Students to Receive Award from Local Chapter

A press release from Ronald McDonald House Charities® Scholarship:

Brenda Yik, a 2012 graduate of North Haven High School who will attend the University of Connecticut this fall, has been selected as a recipient of a $2,000 scholarship from the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

Yik was one of only 22 area students selected from 350 applicants to receive a scholarship. This year, RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts awarded a total of $50,000 to area students, with 20 students receiving $2,000 scholarships and two top students each receiving $5,000 scholarships.

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Scholarship applicants were scrutinized by a panel of judges in several categories including academic achievement, community involvement and financial need.

RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts awarded funds to graduating high school seniors who will be attending college in the fall through two scholarship programs: first through the RMHC Scholars Program which provides monies to graduating high school seniors regardless of race or ethnicity; and secondly through the RMHC Hispanic American Commitment to Education Resources Program (HACER) Scholarship, which is awarded to students with at least one parent of Hispanic origin. The scholarship program is supported by the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts McDonald’s® Owner/Operator Association (CWMMOA). 

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“We are proud to provide scholarship dollars to local students to help them achieve their education and career goals,” said Laura Phillips Ward, President of RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.  “All of the recipients are extremely deserving. They have demonstrated passion and perseverance to overcome challenges and triumph in many areas of their lives. We wish them continued success in college and beyond.”

The full list of the 2012 scholarship recipients is as follows:

RMHC Scholars Program Scholarship Winners

  • Arjun Kapur (Top Winner) of Simsbury, CT; graduate of Watkinson School, attending Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.
  • Amanda Baltazar of Chicopee, MA; graduate of Chicopee High School, attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.
  • Sofia Carapeta of Chicopee, MA; graduate of Chicopee Comprehensive High School, attending the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH.
  • Jennifer Coffey of Enfield, CT; graduate of Enrico Fermi High School, attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA.
  • Melanie Gomes of Chicopee, MA; graduate of Chicopee High School, attending Brandeis University in Waltham, MA.
  • Lisa Mindell of Chicopee, MA; graduate of Chicopee High School, attending Smith College in Northampton, MA.
  • Rachel Roberts of Higganum, CT; graduate of Haddam-Killingworth High School, attending Princeton University in Princeton, NJ.
  • Brenda Yik of North Haven, CT; graduate of North Haven High School, attending the University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT.

RMHC HACER Program Scholarship Winners

  • Ashley Ruiz (Top Winner) of Holyoke, MA; graduate of Holyoke High School, attending Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
  • Enmanuel Almonte of Willimantic, CT; graduate of Windham Technical High School, attending Villanova University in Villanova, PA.
  • Carina Gonzalez of Springfield, MA; graduate of MacDuffie School, attending Elms College in Chicopee, MA.
  • Krisstarah Gonzalez of Springfield, MA; graduate of Sabis International Charter School, attending George Washington University in Washington, DC.
  • Austin Hernandez of Litchfield, CT; graduate of Litchfield High School, attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.
  • Cassidy Melendez of Holyoke, MA; graduate of Holyoke High School, attending DePauw University in Indianapolis, IN.
  • Macro Monroy of Torrington, CT; graduate of Torrington High School, attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA.
  • Nikicha Nieto Rosas of East Hartford, CT; graduate of CT International Baccalaureate Academy, attending Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA.
  • Juan Roldan of North Branford, CT; graduate of Branford High School, attending Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT.
  • Daniela Salazar of East Hartford, CT; graduate of Capital Preparatory Magnet School, attending American University in Washington, DC.
  • Christina Schlupp of Prospect, CT; graduate of Holy Cross High School, attending Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, CT.
  • Ana Vargas of New Milford, CT; graduate of New Milford High School, attending Columbia University in New York, NY.
  • Estefania Zamores of Bristol, CT; graduate of Bristol Central High School, attending Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, CT.
  • Diego Zuniga of East Haven, CT; graduate of East Haven High School, attending Penn State University in University Park, PA.

“All of the McDonald’s owner/operators throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts are committed to programs that support schools and students,” said Rachel Deane, President of CWMMOA and a local McDonald’s owner/operator.  “We are proud of our role in helping these students achieve their educational goals. We are especially proud to honor students who share our commitment to giving back to the community.”

Since 1988 RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has provided more than $6 million to over 400 non-profit organizations, helping thousands of area children lead happier, healthier and more productive lives. RMHC and its global network of local chapters in over 50 countries and regions have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services supporting children worldwide. For more information about RMHC visit www.rmhc-ctma.org or connect at facebook.com/rmhc.ctma.

The Connecticut and Western Massachusetts McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association is comprised of local McDonald’s restaurant owners who are community and industry leaders. They have a long-standing commitment to supporting educational initiatives and organizations in the communities they serve, including providing resources to promote balanced, active lifestyles to kids and nutritional information for families. For more information, visit moms.mcconnecticut.com or moms.mcmassachusetts.com or follow us on Twitter @McD_CTWMA.


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