Diego Zuniga of East Haven Awarded Ronald McDonald House Scholarship

The following is a press release submitted by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts.

Diego Zuniga — a 2012 graduate of who will attend Pennsylvania State University 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.

Zuniga 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.

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). 

 “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.”