A Tucson woman is the first employee in the McDonald’s Rocky Mountain Region to earn her high school diploma through the company’s Archways to Opportunity and Career Online High School programs.

April Boone was honored with a graduation ceremony Tuesday at the McDonald’s at 4495 N. Oracle Road.

Archways to Opportunity helps McDonald’s workers earn their high school diploma and college degree, and in some cases learn English as a second language. Since its launch in April 2015, more than 5,000 employees in the U.S. have enrolled in the program, including nearly 90 in Arizona.

Boone has been with McDonald’s for eight years, starting as a crew member and working her way up to kitchen department manager, while balancing her work and motherhood responsibilities with her studying, the company said in a news release.

She plans to continue her education in the fields of veterinary studies and business.

McDonald’s Rocky Mountain Region includes the Las Vegas, Denver, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Colorado Springs and Tucson markets.

To learn more about the program, visit ArchwaysToOpportunity online.

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