Those gathered at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds on Tuesday can attest that the future of the region’s agricultural industry is bright. Seventeen local FFA students were recognized at the Turlock Chamber of Commerce’s 24th annual Ag Scholarship Luncheon, a tradition that aims to support future agricultural leaders, educate the public and inform policy makers.
Seniors from the Turlock, Pitman, Hilmar and Hughson high school chapters received a share of $32,250 in scholarship money. In total, three students from Turlock, two from Pitman, eight from Hilmar and four from Hughson received scholarships this year.
Recipients were:
· Lillian Agueda, Hughson High School
· Sofia Belerique, Hilmar High School
· Logan Cardoso, Hilmar High School
· Alexis Dias, Turlock High School
· Gianna Gonzalez, Hilmar High School
· Guadalupe Granados, Hilmar High School
· Israel Gudino, Hughson High School
· Katheryn Gutierrez, Turlock High School
· Emily Hasten-Perez, Pitman High School
· Taylor Lockett, Hilmar High School
· Evan Lopes, Hilmar High School
· Natalia Pereira, Hilmar High School
· Jasmine Sanchez, Turlock High School
· Cooper Scarbrough, Hughson High School
· James Rodriguez, Hughson High School
· Neveah Russo, Pitman High School
· Jackson Takhar, Hilmar High School
In addition, Belerique and Carsdoso were presented with the Jim Booth Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 each. The memorial scholarship was created after he passed away in May 2015. The award recipients are chosen by the Booth family, who select students who exemplify attributes that were most important to the founding member of the Ag Committee — leadership, teamwork, follow through, self-confidence, honesty and integrity.
Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the applicant’s interest—current and future—in agriculture, scholastic achievement and community involvement. To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors from Delhi, Denair, Hilmar, Hughson, Livingston, Pitman, Turlock Christian, Turlock or Waterford high schools with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Funds are awarded to full-time students majoring in agriculture at a California college or university system, with students required to enroll in at least one agriculture course.
“They should all be very proud. As you can see, none of these kids or students did this on their own,” said Vince Flanders of the Scholarship Committee, pointing to this year’s recipients and their family and friends in attendance. “They have parents who support them, whether it's parents or cousins, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters. They've all done well and we wish them continued success.”
In the last 24 years, the Ag Committee has raised over $400,000 in donations from the community. To date, the Ag Scholarship Luncheon has provided over $458,000 in scholarships to 431 students and has helped promote agricultural education at the local Stanislaus County Fair.
Tuesday’s Ag Luncheon was sponsored in part by Garton Tractor Inc., American AgCredit, Stanislaus Food Products, Yosemite Farm Credit, InsureCAL Insurance, Ag Production Co., AgIS Capital, Emanuel Medical Center, Fulcrum Farms Services, JS West Milling Co., Lander Veterinary Clinic, Manulife Investment Management, Roy A. Johnson Farms, Turlock Irrigation District, Wilkey Industries, California Poultry Federation, Chance Land and Cattle, Coit & Hewes, CSU Stanislaus Agriculture Studies, Del Rio Nut Company, F&M Bank, Hillberg & Co. CPA, Hilmar Cheese Company, Jim Fernandes Construction Inc., Kiwanis of Greater Turlock, Lucas Dairy, McKenzie Enterprises, Chozen Few Ranches, Mid Valley Agriculture Services Inc., Muller Berry Farms, Oak Valley Community Bank, Pine Creek Nutrition Service, Pinion LLP, Smith Chevrolet Cadillac Inc., TDR Development Inc., Turlock Fruit Co., Valley Heritage Realty, Wahl Willemse & Wilson LLP, Western Valley Insurance, Winton-Ireland Strom and Green, Zenith Insurance, Blue Diamond, Branding Iron Catering, Foster Farms, The Green Nursery and SaveMart Supermarkets.
