Twenty Charlotte-area students have been awarded $1,000 scholarships from Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina (RMHC of NC) for outstanding academic achievement and community involvement. The local scholars are among a number of students from across the state that received college scholarships from RMHC of NC.

“Each year, I am impressed by the applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering their education," said Charlotte-area McDonald’s Owner/Operator and RMHC of NC Board Member Marty Ranft. "It’s an honor to reward these 20 students their scholarships. Through programs like this and other local education-based initiatives, Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina is committed to supporting our students' pursuits of higher education.”

The twenty RMHC scholarship recipients were chosen based on their leadership skills, academic success, community involvement, financial need and a personal essay describing how they intend to make a difference in society.

This year’s local RMHC Scholars are:

Jonathan Rollins, Charlotte, N.C. Darvinash Chandra Mohan, Conover, N.C.

Zoe Parajon, Tega Cay, S.C. Ugoji Nwanaji-Enwerem, Concord, N.C.

Courtney Gordon, Concord, N.C. Madison Garner, Fort Mill, S.C.

Karigan McCurry, Gastonia, N.C. Sarah Cheeley, Charlotte, N.C.

Nia Robinson, Kannapolis, N.C. Benjamin Ruiz, Charlotte, N.C.

Mariana Obando Velez, Rock Hill, S.C. Sefrah Muhammad, Charlotte, N.C.

Christien Williams, Charlotte, N.C. Andrea Garmilla, Charlotte, N.C.

Cayla Lovelace, Lincolnton, N.C. Rebekah Manning, Gastonia, N.C.

Lydia Murray, Mooresboro, N.C. Elizabeth Glowacki, Tega Cay, S.C.

Pranaya Pakala, Charlotte, N.C. Rosie Tran, Belmont, N.C.