2023 Scholarship Recipients

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.

Mr. Anthony Tartaglia, Jr. graduated from Central Valley Christian School in Visalia, California with a 3.85 GPA and will attend California State University, Fresno in the fall. Anthony was a member of his school baseball and football teams and a lifetime California Scholarship Federation member. Anthony was also a member of the Tulare County Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Cohort and an active member of FFA, serving as a chapter officer. From a young age, Anthony has worked alongside his father in the vineyard, and is excited to bring his education to the table grape industry after college.

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.

2022 Scholarship Recipients

Mr. Adam Erickson is a 2022 Agricultural Scholarship recipient. Adam graduated from Kingsburg High School in Kingsburg, California and will attend Fresno State University to major in Plant Science. Adam graduated with a 4.05 GPA and was awarded the Rotary Top 40 Award as a freshman, sophomore, and junior. Adam was a member of the school baseball team and volunteered his spare time with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club as well as youth baseball and basketball programs.

Mr. Alan Menchaca is a 2022 Field Worker Scholarship recipient. Alan graduated from Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, California and will attend UC Berkeley to major in applied mathematics. Alan graduated with a 4.55 GPA and received the AP Scholar Award, which is given to students who pass three AP exams. As captain of the varsity tennis team, Alan and his team won the South Sequoia League Championship.

Ms. Adriana Peña is a 2022 Bridge Field Worker Scholarship recipient. Adriana graduated from Dinuba High School in Dinuba, California and will attend Reedley College, then plans to transfer to UC Davis to major in psychology and minor in Spanish. Adriana graduated with a 4.14 GPA. Through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, Adriana received IRS certifications to help low-income families or individuals file their taxes for free.

Ms. Desteny Navarro is a 2022 Bridge Field Worker Scholarship recipient. Desteny graduated from Lindsay High School in Lindsay, California and will attend College of the Sequoias, then transfer to a four-year university to major in nursing. Desteny graduated with a 3.6 GPA, was an active member of Associated Student Body leadership, and volunteered to support food drives, mask giveaways, and Christmas gift distributions.

Mr. Favian Zamudio is a 2022 Field Worker Scholarship recipient. Favian graduated from Arvin High School in Arvin, California and will attend UC Berkley to major in writing. Favian graduated with a 4.44 GPA. He also graduated with an Associate of Arts Degree in Communication from Bakersfield College. Favian made the Principal’s List and Honor Roll every semester at Arvin High School.

Mr. Frank Fernandes is a 2022 Agricultural Scholarship recipient. Frank graduated from Mission Oak High School in Tulare, California and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in agricultural systems management. Frank graduated with a 4.12 GPA and received a Seal of Biliteracy for his four years of proficiency in English and Portuguese. Frank completed his Career Technical Education in agricultural mechanics at Mission Oak High School, and was an active member of the California Scholarship Federation, Tulare FFA, and the Society for Portuguese American Students.

Ms. Hannah Villaruz is a 2022 Field Worker Scholarship recipient. Hannah graduated from Cesar E. Chavez High School in Delano, California and will attend California State University, Bakersfield to major in nursing. Hannah graduated with a 4.28 GPA, and received the Superintendent’s Honor Roll every semester at Cesar E. Chavez High School. She also served as the Associated Student Body Publicity Commissioner.

Ms. Isabella Ribeiro is a 2022 Agricultural Scholarship recipient. Isabella graduated from Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to major in agricultural communications. Isabella graduated with a 4.29 GPA and in many leadership roles with the Tulare FFA program, including Tulare Chapter President and San Joaquin Regional President. In addition to her various leadership roles, Isabella was a member of the varsity a swim team and an avid community service volunteer.

Ms. Perla Ortiz is a 2022 Bridge Field Worker Scholarship recipient. Perla graduated from Tulare Western High School in Tulare, California and will attend College of the Sequoias, then plans to transfer to Fresno State University to major in nursing. Perla graduated with a 3.61 GPA and is preparing to take the state board certification to become a Certified Nursing Assistant. Perla was involved in the Tulare Youth Ambassadors Leadership program as well as the Pre-Medical Academy.