Monarch High Student Wins Burger King Foundation’s Inaugural $10,000 Hometown Scholarship

by Ryan Yousefi April 10, 2025

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Ryan Merkatz {courtesy}

A Monarch High School student has been awarded the Burger King Foundation’s first-ever $10,000 Hometown Scholarship.

On Saturday, April 5, the Burger King Foundation awarded Ryan Merkatz, a senior at Monarch High School, its first-ever Hometown Scholarship—a $10,000 grant created exclusively for South Florida-based Burger King employees.

Merkatz, a team member at the Burger King located at 4499 West Hillsboro Blvd, was selected from hundreds of applicants for his commitment to his job and academic success.

According to a press release ahead of the announcement, Merkatz began working at Burger King in 2023 and is set to graduate this spring, with plans to attend college in the fall.

The surprise ceremony, which took place at the Coconut Creek restaurant, was attended by Burger King President Tom Curtis, franchise partners, and representatives from the Burger King Foundation.

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Ryan Yousefi

Ryan Yousefi has lived in Coral Springs for over 30 years. He has worked as a writer for multiples outlets over the years, including the Miami New Times where he has covered sports and culture since 2013. He holds a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Business Healthcare Management from Western Governors University.