California’s table grape marketing body, the California Table Grape Commission, is funding eight scholarships to children of field workers in the state's grape-growing regions. All recipients will be attending California universities or colleges.
This year, the commission awarded five field worker scholarships – two US$3,500 two-year scholarships to community colleges, and three US$20,000 four-year field worker scholarships. Three US$20,000 four-year agricultural scholarships were also awarded in 2018.
Since starting the scheme in 1985, the commission has awarded more than 130 scholarships to workers’ children for vocational schools, community colleges and California universities.
Eight years ago, the commission created a new scholarship programme, 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 programme has helped 24 students attend four-year California universities.
The 2018 California Table Grape Commission scholarship recipients were:
Yaritzi Mariscal, a graduate of Shafter High School. Yaritzi plans to attend Bakersfield College and pursue a career in nursing. Yaritzi is the first in her family to attend college.
Luisa Perez Rodriguez, a graduate of Robert F Kennedy High School in Delano. Luisa plans to attend Bakersfield College and pursue a career in radiological technology.
Rosalinda Valenzuela is a graduate of McFarland High School and will attend UC San Diego and pursue a career as a mechanical engineer.
Marisleysis Valdez is graduating from Robert F Kennedy High School in Delano and plans to attend California State University Bakersfield where she will major in finance with a career goal of becoming a financial manager in the table grape industry.
Aime Alarcon is a graduate of Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore and plans to attend the University of Southern California with a career goal of becoming a superintendent of schools.
Lindsey Swall is a graduate of Mission Oak High School in Tulare. Lindsay will attend Fresno State and has a career goal of becoming a horticulturalist.
Brenden Wilson is a graduate of Kingsburg High school and will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a career goal of applying mechanical technology to reduce physical labour in the fields.
Leslie Herrera is a graduate of Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano. Leslie will attend UC Davis with a career goal of becoming a human resource manager for an agricultural firm.
