Southside High School graduate Danielle Clark received a $1,000 scholarship for outstanding academic achievement and community involvement from Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon, Clark and the other recipients met with RMHC of NC owners and operators at the Ronald McDonald House of eastern North Carolina in Greenville for an awards reception, according to a press release.

Clark said she was grateful for being a recipient of the award from RMHC of NC and plans to use it to further her education.

“I’m very thankful to Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Carolina for awarding me this scholarship,” Clark said. “It will certainly help as I continue my education. Know what the Houses do to support families is amazing. I really enjoy being a part of something special like this. It’s really rewarding.”

Clark was one of five eastern North Carolina students to receive the award, according to the release. The local scholars are among a number of students from across the state that received college scholarships from RMHC of NC and local McDonald’s franchises.

The five 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.

RMHC of NC is committed to the health and well-being of children and serves as “homes away from home” for families with seriously ill children to annual scholarships and grants for community programming. Their outreach touches thousands of children each year. The nonprofit organization, based in Raleigh, is governed by a board of directors made up of business, civic leaders and McDonald’s representatives who make decisions to give scholarships such as the one Clark received, according to the release.

Eastern North Carolina McDonalds owner and operator Hugh Caison spoke about his involvement and community outreach.

“Each year, I’m impressed by the applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering their education,” Caison said. “It’s an honor to reward these students, including Danielle, the scholarships. Through programs like this and other local education-based initiatives, McDonalds owners and operators in eastern North Carolina are committed to supporting our students’ pursuits of their higher education goals.”