Read the Latest Issue of American Vineyard
Subscribe
American Vineyard Magazine
Subscribe
American Vineyard Magazine
Education

California Grape Growers Award Scholarships

California Grape Growers Award Scholarships

　

Advertisement

Fresno, CA – California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to seven students in grape growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or vocational schools.

Four field worker scholarships were awarded: one $3,500, two-year award for study at a vocational school and three $20,000, four-year awards for study at a California university. Three $20,000, four-year agricultural scholarships for study at a California
university were also awarded.

Here are the 2019 scholarship recipients:

$20,000 Four-year Field Worker Scholarships

Mr. Alex Aguilar is a graduate of Shafter High School. He graduated with a 4.3 grade point average, and was the associated student body president as well as the all-state, small-school football player of the year. Alex plans to attend San Diego State University where he will major in mechanical engineering with the goal of becoming an engineer.
Mr. Alex Aguilar is a graduate of Shafter High School. He graduated with a 4.3 grade point average, and was the associated student body president as well as the all-state, small-school football player of the year. Alex plans to attend San Diego State University where he will major in mechanical engineering with the goal of becoming an engineer.
Mr. Alex Aguilar is a graduate of Shafter High School. He graduated with a 4.3 grade point average, and was the associated student body president as well as the all-state, small-school football player of the year. Alex plans to attend San Diego State University where he will major in mechanical engineering with the goal of becoming an engineer.

Advertisement

$3,500 Two-year Field Worker Scholarship

Ms. Stephanie Torres is a graduate of Porterville High School. Stephanie plans to attend the Clovis Culinary Arts Academy and will pursue a career as a pastry chef. Stephanie graduated with a 3.3 grade point average.

$20,000 Four-year Agricultural Scholarships

Mr. Juan Espinoza is a graduate of Shafter High School where he held a 4.3 grade point average. He is a four- year member of FFA, a member of the football team and the soccer team’s defensive player of the year. Juan plans to attend CSU Bakersfield where he will major in agricultural engineering with a goal of mechanizing the table grape harvest.
Mr. Nicholas Patton is a graduate of Golden West High School in Visalia, where he maintained a 4.0 grade point average. Nicholas was actively involved in FFA and the MVP of the varsity water polo team. He plans to attend UC Davis to major in biotechnology, followed by the pursuit of a master’s degree in biological engineering at Cornell University. Nicholas’ final goal is to develop new food technologies.
Mr. Zachary Wilson is a graduate of Kingsburg High School with a 3.95 grade point average. He was a four- year honor roll student and associated student body vice president, as well as a member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), where he won numerous awards. Zachary plans to attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in both agricultural sciences and agricultural business with the career goal of owning an agricultural business.

Since 1985, the California Table Grape Commission (commission) has awarded scholarships to children of table grape field workers. More than 130 students have received scholarships to attend vocational schools, community colleges, and California
universities.

In 2012, the commission created a new scholarship program, one designed to encourage those who want to study and work in the agriculture industry with an emphasis in the table grape industry. To date the program has helped 27 students attend four-year California universities.