Panda Cares Scholars Program Awards 15 Boys & Girls Clubs Teens with $25,000 Great Futures Scholarships
Press Release
ATLANTA, July 28, 2026 — With students preparing to leave for campus in just a few weeks, Panda Cares® and Boys & Girls Clubs of America today announced a total of $375,000 in Panda Cares® Great Futures Scholarships, awarded to 15 outstanding Club teens who will each receive $25,000 to attend colleges and universities across the country this fall. The scholarships are part of Panda Cares’ broader commitment to support academic success at Boys & Girls Clubs. These transformative $25,000 scholarships bring the total scholarship support awarded to Boys & Girls Clubs youth to $1.34 million in 2026, which includes an additional 299 scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $5,000.
Meet the 2026 Great Futures Scholars
The 2026 Panda Cares® Great Futures Scholars represent the next generation of leaders, innovators and changemakers, pursuing degrees in fields including public health sciences, multimedia, biology, psychology, kinesiology and human services. The 2026 scholarship recipients are:
- Aaron C. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
- Abigail M. of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
- Ashley P. of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
- Charlaye D. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta
- Dana C. of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
- Evelyn A. of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Los Angeles Harbor
- Geordynn N. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee
- Isabelle J. of USAG Fort Hood CYS Services
- Jei’Alani R. of Boys & Girls Clubs of La Habra
- Kayden D. of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Golden Triangle
- MaShayla B. of Boys & Girls Club of Nowata
- Nathanaelle B. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
- Peace G. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson
- Simal K. of Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
- Tiedrell A. of Boys & Girls Clubs of North Central Georgia
To celebrate this milestone, six Southern California-based scholars were surprised with an in-person scholarship celebration at the Panda Restaurant Group headquarters, where they were joined by their families, Panda Cares leaders and Boys & Girls Club leaders to recognize their achievements. Two additional scholars were honored during Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Keystone Conference, celebrating their accomplishments alongside fellow Club youth and advisors from across the country.
“The Panda Cares Great Futures scholarship will allow me to be the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree,” said Jei’Alani R., 2026 Panda Cares Great Futures Scholar.
“As a future leader, I am committed to giving back to my community by mentoring younger youth and helping them to access the same opportunities that shaped me,” said Isabelle J., 2026 Panda Cares Great Futures Scholar. “Receiving this scholarship will assist me in reaching my educational goals and allow me to build the skills I need to advocate for others through my work.”
Expanding Access to Higher Education
Since launching the scholarship program in 2022, Panda Cares has invested in 755 Boys & Girls Clubs of America youth to pursue higher education. By expanding access to scholarships and reducing financial barriers, the organization continues its long-term commitment to creating opportunities that empower young people to achieve their educational goals, unlock their potential and build brighter futures.
The scholars join a growing network of alumni who continue to demonstrate the lasting impact of the program. Former Panda Cares scholarship recipients Holden, Enrique, Rima and Ximena have each been recognized for their outstanding leadership and academic commitment, being named Youth of the Year for their region. Ximena went on to be named National Youth of the Year, Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s highest honor, reflecting how investments in Club youth can inspire academic success, leadership and a lifelong commitment to making a difference in their communities.
Building a Legacy of Great Futures
Each year, Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide provide afterschool programming, homework help, STEM learning and college and career readiness programs that help prepare young people for life after high school. Four in five Club youth report earning mostly A’s and B’s in school, and 97% believe they will graduate from high school.
“A Great Future to me means creating opportunities for others just as my Boys & Girls Club created opportunities for me,” said Tiedrell A., 2026 Panda Cares Great Futures Scholar. “My advice to younger people is simple. Never let your circumstances define your future.”
“These scholarships help remove barriers to pursuing higher education and open doors for young people,” said Jim Clark, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “We value Panda Cares’ continued partnership and significant investment in our youth. Every day, Clubs help kids and teens see what’s possible for their futures, and partnerships like this help make those possibilities a reality.”
As the 2026 Great Futures Scholars prepare to begin their college journeys in the weeks ahead, Panda Cares is helping ensure they do so with greater confidence and the resources they need to succeed. Together, Panda Cares and Boys & Girls Clubs of America continue investing in the next generation of leaders and creating more great futures.
To learn more about this partnership visit https://bgca.org/about-us/our-partners/panda-cares.
About Panda Express®
On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the US. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by Co-Founders and Co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller the Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each dish at Panda Express is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,500 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to 11 international countries.
Powered by a global family of associates, Panda Cares®, Panda’s philanthropic arm, has raised more than $455 million and has dedicated countless volunteer hours in bettering the health and education for over 16 million youth, as well as supporting communities in need since 1999. In 2021, Panda Express established the Panda CommUnity Fund — a five-year, $10 million community investment and response program that supports immediate and sustainable solutions from national and local organizations to uplift diverse groups, including people of color and other marginalized communities. For more information about Panda, visit pandaexpress.com, or find us on Facebook, Instagram, X and TikTok.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 160 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA.org) has provided a safe place for kids and teens to learn and grow. Clubs offer caring adult mentors, fun and friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Boys & Girls Clubs programming promotes academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles. Over 5,500 Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. The national headquarters is located in Atlanta. Learn more about Boys & Girls Clubs of America on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Media Contacts
Isabella Luna
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
iluna@bgca.org
