Eighteen Tristate students will receive a combined $42,000 in college scholarships from the Anthony Muñoz Foundation, thanks to support from Mike’s Carwash and the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2 Day Who Hey promotion.
Each student will receive a one-time scholarship for their education, and two standout recipients – one male and one female – will earn additional awards as the foundation’s Straight ‘A’ Students of the Year.
Scholarship recipients will be honored during the annual Straight ‘A’ Luncheon on April 30 at The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby. Each student will be joined by their chosen Most Influential Teacher, and the two grand-prize winners will also be announced during the event.
“I think a lot of what we do at the foundation stems from my upbringing and the things I’ve gone through,” said Muñoz, a Cincinnati Bengals Hall of Famer, who created the foundation in 2002.
“Being raised by a single mom — we didn’t have a whole lot but we worked hard and were lucky enough to have people in our community who believed in us,” he added. “So, being able to honor young men and women who are choosing positive paths and achieving despite the adversity in their way — that’s what we want to do.”
A commitment to the next generation
“We’re grateful to our customers for supporting the Anthony Muñoz Foundation throughout the Two Day Who Dey and Kids Win Wednesday promotions,” Dahm said.
The Anthony Muñoz Foundation has a mission to impact youth mentally, physically and spiritually. It engages with underprivileged youth across the Tri-State region through seven impact programs, including scholarships, character camps, a tutoring program and a leadership seminar.
The annual scholarship program is central part of that mission.
This year, it received a record 494 nominations from nearly 138 local high schools in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Nominations came from counselors, coaches, parents and school administrators who wanted to recognize students for excelling in academics and athletics, serving their communities, demonstrating ambition and overcoming adversity.
Muñoz noted that partners like Mike’s Carwash and the Cincinnati Bengals, who “believe in our mission and support these kids’ dreams, it’s what allows such a huge impact to be made.”
Joe Dahm, president of Mike’s Carwash, called it a pleasure to raise money to benefit local young people. “Since teaming up with the foundation, the local company has helped generate more than $468,000 through its Bengals partnership.
“We’re grateful to our customers for supporting the Anthony Muñoz Foundation throughout the Two Day Who Dey and Kids Win Wednesday promotions,” Dahm said.
2025 Straight ‘A’ Scholarship recipients
Female Recipients
- Faustina Ansah, Western Hills University High School
- Erikka Franklin, homeschool
- Lauren Kinney, Edgewood High School
- Olivia Lorenz, Springboro High School
- Alejandra Martinez, Oyler High School
- Natoria Maxwell, Oyler High School
- Riley Tice, Edgewood High School
- Jenny Whitley, Southern Hills Career and Technical Center
- Kaydence Young, Middletown High School
Male Recipients
- Eli Crow, La Salle High School
- Jack Eagle, La Salle High School
- Nate Emrick, Dixie High School
- Max English, La Salle High School
- William Melching, Covington Catholic High School
- Hunter Monds, Clinton-Massie High School
- Bradey Sexton, Archbishop Moeller High School
- Gavin Wining, Eaton High School
- Dylan Worstell, Calvary Christian School
For a full list of 2025 nominees, visit munozfoundation.org.
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