Two McDonogh Students Nominated to 2011 McDonald's All-American Games

students Candice Hendricks and Taryn Durant were honored as nominees for the 2011 McDonald’s All American^® Games. The student athletes were recognized among the nearly 2,000 nominees during a surprise announcement at their high school’s senior night celebration. Both young women are coached by Brad Rees.

Both student athletes serve as the co-captains of the Lady Eagles team and have lead their team to a 20 – 6 season. Taryn is a point guard and averaged 8.7 points per game, 2.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 3.9 steals. She was also a member of the volleyball and track teams and is attending Monmouth University in the fall of 2011.

Candice is a guard/forward and averages 13.1 points per game, 7.4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2.5 steals per game. She is also a member of the track team and was ranked 9^th nationally in the discus throw for the 2010 season. She is attending Gannon University in the fall of 2011.

“Members of the McDonald’s All-American alumni include Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Maya Moore,” said McDonald’s Owner Gerry Gimelstob. “We’re very proud of Candice and Taryn’s achievements. Becoming a nominee is a huge accomplishment and we’re thrilled that two of our community’s own student athletes were recognized this year.”

A complete list of nominees is available on www.McDonaldsAllAmerican.com. Nominees were submitted by members of the McDonald’s All American Selection Committee as well as state representatives who closely follow prep basketball in each player’s respective area.  McDonald’s selected the final roster of 24 boys and 24 girls during the 2011 McDonald’s All American Selection Show on ESPNU, aired on Feb. 10.

The 10th annual Girls Game will tip off on Wed., March 30 at 6:30 p.m. CT inside the famed United Center in Chicago, Ill., and will broadcast live on ESPNU. The 34th annual Boys Game tips off at 9:00 p.m. CT and will air live on ESPN. Tickets are still available through Ticketmaster or charge-by-phone at

1-866-909-GAME. All ticket purchases include free parking at the United Center.

Proceeds from ticket sales of both Games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®) of Chicago and Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI). To date, millions of dollars have been donated to RMHC Chapters from proceeds generated at the McDonald’s All American Games.

Since 1978, more than 1,000 male and female athletes have competed in the McDonald’s All American Games, forming an elite list of players in basketball history.  McDonald’s All American athletes include basketball greats Alonzo Mourning, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Candace Parker, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose.

About McDonald’s
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. There are 350 McDonald’s restaurants in the Greater Washington, D.C., area. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com, follow on Twitter @McDonalds_DMV or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants.