Inaugural RCH 22 Scholarship: ReaCH 2025

Award: $2200 Deadline for Fall 2025: 6/7/2025

From the Hodor Family: Ever since he attended his first college fair as a freshman at Dundee Crown High School. our Ryan dreamed of going to the University of South Carolina . He’d never even been to either of the Carolinas, but came home that day announcing he wanted to go to U of SC. When asked why, his initial reasoning was simply that the young woman representative was “hot.” But, there was something more that was calling him than meeting a cute co-ed. He soon set his mind on that school and did everything he needed to do to make that dream a reality.

We realized that the only way U of SC was going to be financially feasible was for Ryan to earn significant scholarships or make the decision to take on significant loan debt. With his hard work and dedication, he earned those scholarships (and maintained them throughout college) and was able to go to his dream school. We understand that we, and Ryan, were very fortunate. He just had to focus on school, be involved, and work hard to earn his dream.

But other students aren’t that lucky. Some students have had to navigate through illness, disability, tragic loss, or other huge obstacles, still do all the hard work, and then encounter the final immense obstacle of college affordability. Even if a student qualifies for a school's top merit scholarships with good grades and test scores, many colleges (especially out-of-state options) are still unaffordable, and these students' last option is potentially future-crushing student loan debt. It is these individuals the RCH 22 Foundation wants to support.

Who should apply: If you are a student who has overcome a large personal obstacle and still managed to do all the right things – athletics and other school involvement, excellent grades, good test scores, community involvement, work – everything that should have opened all doors for you but didn't make your dream school possible, please apply for the ReaCH Scholarship offered by our family foundation in loving memory of our son, Ryan.

Eligibility and terms:

• This scholarship is open to current Dundee Crown area seniors, as well as DC area graduates who are currently enrolled in college and align with the award criteria.

• This scholarship is a one-time grant

• Application window for Fall of 2025 closes on 6/7/25

• By applying, you consent to having their name, photo and a short summary of your qualifications on the RCH 22 Foundation website and social media announcements

How to apply: The application is simple. Email rch22foundation@gmail.com with information about your own situation. We don’t have strict rules about the format – you can make a video, write a song, send an essay, make a Tik Tok, create a PowerPoint presentation, etc. Choose whatever format you feel best tells your story. Please let us know:

• What obstacle/life events you are facing or have overcome

• Where you want to go to school, why, and what you want to study (if you know)

• Activities you have been involved in as a student (in school and external activities)

• How your dream college is or will be difficult for you and your family financially

• How the RCH 22 ReaCH Scholarship can help you ReaCH your dream

Hint: Ryan approached life with a sense of humor, so humor in your submission is a plus!

Additional documentation to include in your email:

• Unofficial transcript (if you're a college student, please send your college transcript vs. high school)

• Letter of recommendation including recommender's contact information

• Disclosure of other scholarships or financial aid you are receiving

We look forward to hearing from you! Thank you for connecting with us to help us honor Ryan's memory through scholarship and dream building.