SPHS grad Theis earns $2,500 scholarship from McDonald’s

Paul Jedele, McDonald’s owner/operator, recognizes South Putnam High School senior Nic Theis with $2,500 McDonald’s National Scholarship Award.

Courtesy photo

South Putnam High School senior Nic Theis, an employee of the independently-owned McDonald’s in Brazil, was recently awarded a $2,500 McDonald’s National Employee Scholarship as part of the company’s Archways to Opportunity program.

Theis is among several employees working at McDonald’s restaurants nationwide selected to receive this honor for their outstanding contributions, scholastic achievements and community involvement.

“Nic exemplifies the qualities of a true leader at work and in his community,” said Paul Jedele, McDonald’s owner/operator of Central Indiana. “He has done an outstanding job both in the restaurant and in school, using lessons from both to reach his goals.”

Theis, who joined the Brazil McDonald’s restaurant team in June 2016, is involved in wrestling, football and track and field and is a student ambassador at his high school. He is also involved in the Clay County Humane Society.

He plans to attend IUPUI in Indianapolis this fall to major in biomedical engineering and will pursue a career in designing medical devices.

Jedele recommended Theis to receive this scholarship.

“McDonald’s continues to provide me with opportunities to learn and grow,” Theis said. “The experience will serve me in my college classes and beyond.”

McDonald’s and many of its independent franchisees offer a range of education benefits through the Archways to Opportunity program, providing eligible U.S. employees an opportunity to earn a high school diploma, receive upfront college tuition assistance, access free education advising services and learn English as a second language.

In April, McDonald’s Corporation announced it will allocate $150 million over five years to the education program. This investment will provide almost 400,000 U.S. restaurant employees with accessibility to the program as the company will also lower eligibility requirements from nine months to 90 days of employment and drop weekly shift minimums from 20 hours to 15 hours.

For more information on these opportunities, visit www.mcdonalds.com/education.