Aaliyah Mendoza
Ms. Aaliyah Mendoza graduated from Golden Valley High School in Bakersfield, California with a 3.61 GPA and will attend Bakersfield College to pursue a career as a physical therapy assistant. In school, Aaliyah participated in the Career Technical Education Center Sports Medicine Program and earned a physical therapy internship. Aaliyah was also a member of the community service Interact Club and a member of the track and cross country teams. Aaliyah hopes to improve the lives of others by achieving a career in physical therapy.
Ms. Carly Raven graduated from Kingsburg High School, in Kingsburg, California with a 4.12 GPA and will attend the University of California, Berkeley in the fall. At Berkeley, Carley plans to major in nutritional sciences to study the nutritional value of grapes in sports nutrition. Throughout high school, Carley was a member of her school softball team and earned an FFA greenhand and chapter degree. Carley grew up on a table grape ranch and spent her summers assisting her family in the table grape harvest.
Ms. Estefania Andrade-Meza graduated from Harmony Magnet Academy in Strathmore, California with a 3.95 GPA and will attend College of the Sequoias to major in animal science. In school, Estefania was a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Dance Club, and served as a teacher’s assistant. Estefania was also placed on the school President’s List and received the California State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Estefania has a passion for animals and a career goal of becoming a veterinarian.
Mr. Gael Quinonez graduated from Delano High School in Delano, California with a 4.09 GPA and will attend California State University, Bakersfield to major in engineering. Gael was an active member of his school Service Club where he volunteered with the community. Gael also spent his free time as a member of the Chess Club, Gardening Club, and Math Club. With his degree, Gael hopes to achieve a career in engineering.
Mr. Jonathan Callison graduated from Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California with a 4.13 GPA and will attend Reedley College to study plant science. Throughout high school, Jonathan was involved in FFA and was a member of the grapevine pruning team for four years. Jonathan also played varsity water polo and baseball, and was a team captain in both sports. Jonathan draws inspiration from his family’s six generations in agriculture and watching his dad work in the vineyards.
Mr. Mark Kovacevich graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School in Bakersfield, California with a 3.95 GPA and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in wine and viticulture. Mark was an active member of FFA and served as the chapter and sectional president, and earned his California State FFA degree. From shadowing his father and uncle in the fields, Mark has developed a passion for the table grape industry. In the summer of 2022, Mark managed the table grape harvest on one of his family’s ranches.
Mr. Roberto Ramirez, Jr. graduated from Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, California with a 4.40 GPA and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in agricultural business. Throughout high school, Roberto was an active member of the ASB and Spanish Club where he organized community events and was a member of the school band. Roberto is inspired by his father’s long career in the table grape industry and hopes to become a farm manager after college.
Ms. Victoria Martinez graduated from Mira Monte High School in Bakersfield, California with a 4.22 GPA and will attend the University of California, Santa Barbara to study psychology. While attending Mira Monte, Victoria was a member of the Academic Decathlon, soccer team, and Spanish Club. Victoria was also an avid church volunteer and spent her summers working alongside her parents picking table grapes.