El Paso McDonald's franchisee names 19 recipients of scholarship initiative

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — An El Paso McDonald's franchisee awarded $50,000 Tuesday to help Borderland students realize their goals of pursuing higher education.

Richard Castro, a McDonald's franchisee in El Paso, awarded a total of $50,000 to 19 students in the Borderland as they embark on their higher education journey at The University of Texas at El Paso and El Paso Community College.

The two institutions also matched Castro's funds for a grand total of $100,000.

"The initiative's sole purpose is to provide financial support to local, dedicated students who don't have the financial means to realize their academic goals and seek an opportunity to better their lives through education," said Castro, who founded the McDonald's El Paso Scholarships program. "By partnering with UTEP and EPCC, we take this initiative to a whole new level, enabling the cause to cover the tuition of a student's first entire academic year."

The 2024 McDonald's El Paso Scholarship recipients include:

1. Fatima Flores, Montwood High School
2. Dalilia Ibanez Silva, Health Magnet School
3. Gerardo Lopez, Andress High School
4. Jasmin Quintero, Burges High School
5. Benjamin Ramirez, Harmony Science Academy
6. Israel Robles, Bel Air High School
7. Elise Rodriguez, Burges High School
8. Bianca Sierra, Montwood High School
9. Paola Barrera, Canutillo High School
10. Camila Espinoza, El Paso High School
11. Isabella Hernandez, Socorro High School
12. Jorge Hernandez, Bowie High School
13. Lezly Lumbreras, Bowie High School
14. Itzel Mendoza, Montwod High School
15. Kiara Moreno, Canutillo High School
16. Emely Puentes, Austin High School
17. Karla Reyes, Coronado High School
18. Briana Rios, Valle Verde Early College High School
19. Shelsea Wong, Bowie High School

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