A record 28 senior high school students each received an award of $1,000 – $3,500 out of a total $59,000 — the most the Chamber has ever distributed in one year. Over the years, they have given out a cumulative $547,000.
“This represents not just financial support, but a vote of confidence from your community,” remarked past recipient Gianna Gonzalez to the awardees at the Turlock Chamber of Commerce Ag Scholarship Committee’s 26th Annual Scholarship Luncheon on March 17.
The recipients stepped to the microphone, smiled and shared the college they plan to attend and their career goal. The career areas included equine dentistry, ag law, ag education, farming, cooperative extension, ag engineering, viticulture and enology, rangeland resource management, ag business, veterinary service, ag communication and policy, pest control advising and soil science.
The Hughson Future Farmers of America (FFA) decorated the tables at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds Hall with custom wood planter boxes filled with miniature pansies. Silver Hershey kisses and snack packs of Blue Diamond almonds dotted the tables as well. Farm Truck Catering served a grilled chicken lunch.
The event was possible due to support by Garton Tractor and Lander Veterinary Clinic, along with Platinum Sponsors Manulife Investment Management and Stanislaus Food Products and Gold Sponsors InsureCAL and Yosemite Farm Credit.
A total of 30 silver and bronze sponsors and five in-kind donors filled out the sponsor list, and many volunteers — including the students — pitched in to set up and clean up. — By Nancy Power, Assistant Editor