Ronald McDonald House Charities Names Twenty Area Students African American `Future Achievers'

Ronald McDonald House Charities Names Twenty Area Students African American `Future Achievers'

McDonald's Embraces the Spirit of Black History Month; Spotlights Young Achievers; Presents Patti LaBelle with the Black History Maker of Today Award

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) and the McDonald's(R) Owner/Operators of the Greater Philadelphia Region will recognize the accomplishments of 20 tri-state area high school seniors by awarding them RMHC/African American Future Achievers scholarships at an awards celebration on February 22, where Patti LaBelle will receive the McDonald's Black History Maker of Today Award. RMHC/Future Achievers is a local extension of a national program that awards $1,000 college scholarships to African American high school seniors based on scholastic achievement, community service, dedication to the advancement of the African American community and financial need.

"Both RMHC and McDonald's are extremely pleased with the tremendous response to the RMHC/Future Achievers Scholarship Program," said Cleo Alston, president of the Philadelphia Black McDonald's Owner/Operator Association. "We are committed to opening avenues for students to pursue their dreams and attain a higher level of education."

Now in its third year in this area, the scholarship competition received nearly 250 applications. A panel of judges comprised of key leaders within the African American community, and McDonald's, as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities representatives selected the 20 scholarship winners representing Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware (winners list follows).

Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship upon college enrollment and will be recognized at the RMHC/Future Achievers Awards Celebration on Tuesday, February 22, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Philadelphia, located on City Avenue.

The event will feature a keynote address by Philadelphia native Patti LaBelle. LaBelle, world-class entertainer, author, humanitarian and entrepreneur, will receive the Anthony De Luz Black History Maker of Today Award, named after Anthony De Luz. De Luz and his partner were the first African American McDonald's franchisees in the entire Northeast Region. This award honors local leaders whose pioneering work has made an impact on black history and continues to open doors for African Americans.

RMHC/Future Achievers was introduced to local RMHC chapters during the 2001-2002 academic year, replacing the Black History Makers of Tomorrow scholarship competition, which offered fifteen $1,000 scholarships to African American high school juniors.

RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the lives of children and families. RMHC "lifts children to a better tomorrow" through the RMHC/Future Achievers Scholarship Program; the RMHC/HACER scholarship program for Latino high school seniors; the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses; the St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Ronald McDonald Care Mobile; and grants to not-for-profit children's programs.

There are more than 300 McDonald's Restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region that are owned and operated by nearly 70 independent franchisees and McDonald's Corporation. Together, they proudly support the RMHC/Future Achievers Scholarship Program.

Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R))/
African American Future Achievers
2005 Scholarship Recipients


Geneva Campbell
Friend's Central School
Wynnewood, PA

Stephenie Chatman
JDT Christian Academy
Pennsauken, NJ

Ashlee Cooper
Alexis I. Dupont High School
Wilmington, DE

Barbara Daniels
Masterman High School
Philadelphia, PA

Mandy Desrosiers
Academy Park High School
Sharon Hill, PA

Alia Dickerson
Philadelphia High School for Girls
Philadelphia, PA

Melvin Goins
Central High School
Philadelphia, PA

Vincent Goodwin
Cheltenham High School
Wyncote, PA

April-Danielle Grant
Rancocas Valley Regional High School
Mount Holly, NJ

William Hunter
Pennsbury High School-East
Fairless Hills, PA

Tyrel Jackson
Dover High School
Dover, DE

Ashley Johnson
Little Flower High School
Philadelphia, PA

Cierra Lewis
Upper Darby High School
Drexel Hill, PA

Nicole Norfleet
Eastern Senior High School
Voorhees, NJ

Mercy Oyana
Central High School
Philadelphia, PA

Dionna Perron
George Washington Carver High School
Philadelphia, PA

Tia Reaves
Mathematics, Civics and Sciences Charter School of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Thomas Russell III
Salesianum School
Wilmington, DE

Eboni Wesley
Academy Park High School
Sharon Hill, PA

Megan Wollover
Nottingham High School-North
Hamilton, NJ



Source: Ronald McDonald House Charities(R)

CONTACT: Ticia Whitsett, Tierney Communications, +1-215-790-4416,
lwhitsett@tierneyagency.com, for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R)

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information or to request an interview with one of the students, please contact Ticia Whitsett at (215) 790-4416 or lwhitsett@tierneyagency.com.

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