ATLANTA – GPS Hospitality, a rapidly growing franchisee with nearly 400 Burger King restaurants, is pleased to announce it will award the Burger King Foundation scholarships to 270 students in 10 states this graduation season. Since 2013, GPS Hospitality has supported 1,388 scholars in totaling nearly $1.4 million in giving.

Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors based on their grade point average and the impact the applicants have on their schools and communities through volunteerism and work experience. Burger King employees and their family members pursuing a traditional post-secondary education or enrichment programs are also eligible to apply. This year’s 270 winners include 48 employees and 222 seniors in GPS Hospitality’s local communities. The Burger King Foundation scholarships are a community effort as they are funded completely through guest donations at local restaurants. Founded in 2000, the Foundation has awarded more than $48 million in scholarships to over 42,000 students.

The Burger King Scholars selected for the 2021 program from Randolph and Upshur County include:

• SYDNEY COOPER, Elkins High School – “With this scholarship, I can continue to positively impact my community, except now in a health-related aspect.  Truly, I am grateful for corporations like Burger King that invest in students like me by decreasing financial burdens and allowing me to focus on the most important aspect of college, studying and learning.”
• ABIGAIL HANNAN, Elkins High School – “I am beyond grateful to have been named a Burger King Scholar. This scholarship will not only allow me to continue my education but alleviate much of the financial stress that comes with college. I know that this scholarship is an investment in my future, so I will do my best to make the Burger King McLamore Foundation proud.”
• MCKENZIE REYNOLDS, Buckhannon Upshur High School – “The scholarship takes the financial stress off of me and my parents. With the scholarship I am able to pay for at least a fourth of a semester which makes it easier to focus on my dream of being a pharmacist.”
• KAYLA WAGNER, Buckhannon Upshur High School – “This scholarship means so much to me because I will be attending college as a first-generation student and member of the Honors College so this scholarship will help me fund this new journey to becoming an anesthesiologist. Being a Burger King Scholar has empowered me even further to accomplish this goal.”

“Setting and exceeding goals are core values at GPS Hospitality, and we have 270 scholars who are on their way to achieving their goals,” said Michael Lippert, President of GPS Hospitality. “Supporting their academic journey is an honor not only for me, but for the countless team members whose efforts with our generous guests converted $1 donations into $270,000 in scholarship funding. Kudos to our restaurant teams for their amazing work.”

The Burger King Foundation Scholarship program is the Burger King Foundation’s flagship program, established to honor the legacy of the BURGER KING brand’s co-founder James W. McLamore, whose commitment to philanthropy and education made him a pillar of community service throughout his lifetime. The BURGER KING brand is owned by Restaurant Brands International Inc., one of the world’s largest quick service restaurant companies. For more information on the program, including the 2022 scholarship application details, visit https://burgerking.scholarsapply.org/