MIAMI, June 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Helping pave the way toward higher education, the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation announced today that it is helping to make the educational dreams of close to 2,800 students across North America a reality. Through its BURGER KING(SM) Scholars program, $3 million in scholarships are being awarded to exceptional high school graduates and BK® Brand employees as well as restaurant Team Members in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico.
This year, the program awarded three $50,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship Awards, ten $5,000 regional restaurant Team Member scholarships and close to 2,800 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 to additional students. Winners were selected from thousands of applicants looking to pursue a secondary education at a university or post-secondary vocational/technical school.
"The BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation is invested in providing students with opportunities to further their education," said José Cil, President of the BURGER KING® brand and the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation. "For this reason, we are proud to support these outstanding students in North America with the financial support of the BURGER KING(SM) Scholars program."
Amongst the 2016 recipients of the James W. McLamore WHOPPER® Scholarship Awards are Alexia Rieger, an aspiring doctor pursuing a degree in biology; Sophia Bottoms, an ambitious double major who longs to be a bilingual orthodontist; and Sunpreet Singh, a student advocate for civil rights who hopes to practice law and community advancement.
"Being a BURGER KING(SM) Scholar has made me realize that hard work does pay off, and I now feel so much closer to achieving my dreams," said Sophia Bottoms, one of three WHOPPER® Scholarship award recipients. "This amazing opportunity will allow me more freedom to FOCus on academic endeavors, without worrying about student loans—which has been one of my dreams!"
Throughout the years, the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation has offered students across North America the opportunity to obtain an affordable education, putting tuition within their reach with scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $50,000.
Created in memory of BURGER KING® brand co-founder James "Jim" W. McLamore, the BURGER KING(SM) Scholars program has awarded $28.3 million in scholarships to more than 26,800 high school students, BK® employees and their families across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico since its inception in 2000. The Foundation's flagship program was established to honor Jim McLamore's legacy and commitment to philanthropy and education.
Award recipients are selected based on their grade point average, extracurricular activities, community service and work experience. The application window opens yearly from Oct. 15 – Dec. 15. For more information on the program, including instructions for obtaining scholarship applications for 2017, please visit www.bkmclamorefoundation.org.
ABOUT THE BURGER KING(SM) SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The BURGER KING(SM) Scholars program is the flagship program of the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation—a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, endeavoring to make a positive impact in the communities in which we work and live, in collaboration with the BURGER KING® family. Created in memory of BURGER KING® brand co-founder James "Jim" McLamore, the BURGER KING(SM) Scholars program awards scholarships to high school students and BURGER KING® employees, their children and spouSES that can be used to fund post-secondary education. The scholarships are made possible every year through the generous support of BURGER KING® restaurant guests, Burger King Corporation, vendor partnerships, the McLamore Family Foundation and through the fundraising efforts of BURGER KING® franchisees and the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation. To learn more about the BURGER KING(SM) Scholars program and the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation, visit www.bkmclamorefoundation.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
ABOUT THE BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) FOUNDATION
The BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, whose global efforts support the advancement of education. Inspired by BURGER KING® brand co-founder James W. McLamore, its mISSion is to make a positive impact by building brighter futures through education and providing emergency hardship assistance to members of the BURGER KING® family. The Foundation partners with select charitable organizations worldwide that share its mission of advancing education. To learn more about the BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation, visit www.bkmclamorefoundation.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat or call 305-378-3186.
CONTACT:
RockOrange for BURGER KING McLAMORE(SM) Foundation
Frances@rockorange.com
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