10 students win $10,000 each for college

Ten students won $10,000 each in college scholarships from the Children of Associates Premier Scholarship (CAPS) program. The winners were notified at their schools with a bouquet of green balloons and a congratulatory video from H&R Block CEO and President Jeff Jones.

“We were inspired by the number of goal-oriented, intellectually curious, responsible and charismatic students who applied,” Jones said. “You didn’t win this scholarship, you earned it, and we couldn’t be happier to award you this money.”

The CAPS class of 2018 included five National Honor Society members, four student government leaders, two Business Academy members and one entrepreneur. The winners (and their sponsors) are:

• Kevin Chen (mother, Meifang Lin) of Knoxville, TN;
• Olivia Dillion (grandmother, Karen Premo) of Terre Haute, IN;
• Ruthie Jackson (mother, Sherri Jackson) of Moorseville, NC;
• Tija Johnson (father, Travis Johnson) of Itta Bena, MS;
• Maria Moy (mother, Michele Moy) of Plymouth, MN;
• Ruchi Shah (mother, Archana Shah) of Ledgewood, NJ;
• Ahmed Sharafeldeen (mother, Enas Terra) of Anaheim, CA;
• Stephen Smith (mother, Rhonda Davis) of Elk Grove, CA;
• Vikram Thanigaivelan (mother Bagyalakshmi Sdhanmugam) of Buffalo Grove, IL; and
• Max Wang (father, Jason Wang) of Overland Park, KS.

Making the grade

These students didn’t just win these scholarships; they earned them. How? By demonstrating they:

• have a clear vision for how this scholarship will help them reach their long-term academic and professional goals;
• will take control of their financial future and are aware of strategies that will help them become financially responsible adults;
• are intellectually curious, set high academic goals and excel in their studies;
• are well-rounded individuals who excel in academics, but also participate in activities outside the classroom that channel their passion, leadership and creativity;
• are proactive and highly motivated, inspiring, charismatic, responsible and trustworthy; and
• respect and appreciate diversity.

The CAPS program is open to high school seniors whose parent, stepparent, grandparent or step-grandparent is a current H&R Block company or franchise associate. Applications for 2019 begin in the fall.

“Block associates and franchisees have some amazingly intelligent and impressive children. You are helping mold incredible young women and men. As the father of a high school senior, I know sending your child off to college is not easy,” Jones said. “I’m actually beginning to wonder if all those college applications are more lengthy and complex than the actual tax code.”

Learn more about the CAPS program.