Over $1 Million in Scholarship Funds Awarded from the Tree Fruit Industry

May 26, 2023

Washington Apple Education Foundation ProduceJune 6, 2023

Wenatchee, Washington – The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) awarded 316 scholarship recipients to students this year. Of the 316 scholarships, 206 were awarded to renewing students, and 110 new students were welcomed to the WAEF family. These scholarships represent over $1 million sponsored by the tree fruit industry through various fundraisers, scholarships in memory of industry leaders and friends, and annual donations. To be eligible for a WAEF scholarship, students must submit one of our two scholarship applications: Universal for students raised in families with direct ties to Washington's tree fruit industry or students interested in a Washington tree fruit career pathway; and Vocational/Technical for Washington State high school seniors or current college students on a pathway that aligns with potential work in the tree fruit industry.

Every WAEF scholarship recipient receives student support services to ensure their success through the Beyond the Scholarship Program. This includes workshops led by WAEF volunteers, virtual mock interviews, guided resume sessions, facilitated monthly sessions focused on various topics, personalized quarterly/semester care packages, and many more perks. WAEF delivers a successful program with a 90% retention rate (scholarship renewal awards). Additionally, our

WAEF students complete their degrees within four years or less at a rate of 86%, and 79% of WAEF scholarship recipients are 1st generation college students.

Jose Policarpio, Othello, is the recipient of the Brian & Irene Birdsall Scholarship. Policarpio is a graduate of Othello High School and the son of Luis Policarpio and Ofelia Policarpio.

Alayna Groce, Cashmere, is the recipient of the FFA Apple Judging First Place Award

Scholarship. Groce is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Andy Groce and Jenni Groce.

Alejandra Beltran Maldonado, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Northern Fruit/Ice Lakes Scholarship. Beltran Maldonado is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the daughter of Gilberto Beltran and Damaris Maldonado.

Alejandra Gil-Camacho, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. GilCamacho is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Juan Gil-Lopez and Maria de Los Angeles Camacho.

Bryan Garcia Bautista, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Mathison Family Scholarship. Garcia Bautista is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the son of Teresa Bautista.

graduate of Wenatchee High School and the daughter of Fernando Mejia and Monica Barragan.

Jazmine Herrera, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the CoBank Scholarship and the POM Club Scholarship. Herrera is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the daughter of Luis Verduzco and Patricia Rodriguez.

Joanna Peña Rodriguez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Robert Prince Memorial Scholarship and the Triple G Orchards Scholarship. Peña is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the daughter of Jose Peña Ramirez and Maricela Peña Rodriguez.

Jonathan Sarmiento, Manson, is the recipient of the Howard & Helen Hauff Memorial Scholarship, the Vicki Armbruster Peebles Scholarship, and the Wilbur Ellis Scholarship. Sarmiento is a graduate of Manson High School and the son of Heriberto Sarmiento and Irma Sarmiento.

Leonardo Velazquez, Chelan, is the recipient of the Moss Adams LLP-E. Peter Krier Scholarship. Velazquez is a graduate of Chelan High School and the son of Valentin Velazquez and Maria De Lourdes Velazquez.

Lesly Vejar, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. Vejar is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Oscar Rojas and Sarai Garcia.

graduate of Cashmere High School and the son of Norberto Oropeza and Lady Oropeza.

Scholarship and the PayneWest Deborah Krautwurm Memorial Scholarship. Sevilla Martinez is a graduate of Chelan High School and the daughter of Rocio Martinez Carro.

Teresa Venegas Esquibel, Manson, is the recipient of the KJ Hendershott

Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship. Venegas Esquibel is a graduate of Manson High School and the daughter of Victor Venegas Olivares and Martha Esquibel Loza.

Yameli Lopez Duenas, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Lopez Duenas is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the daughter of Fernando Lopez and Ehtel Lopez Duenas.

Yasleni Mejia, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship. Mejia is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Javier Mejia and Evangelina Naranjo.

Scholarship and the Valent USA Tree Fruit Scholarship. Schindele is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the son of Steven Schindele and Kelley Schindele.

Dennise Aguilar Cano, East Wenatchee, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Aguilar Cano is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the daughter of Ismael Aguilar Perez and Angelica Cano Rodriguez.

Eduardo Juarez Ramirez, East Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Juarez Ramirez is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the son of Eduardo Juarez Gonzalez and Maria Ramirez.

Geiza Sanchez, Orondo, is the recipient of the Cider Works Farms Scholarship. Sanchez is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Jose Luis Sanchez and Rosina Sanchez.

Scholarship and the Bob McDougall Memorial Scholarship. Alcazar is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Brian Anderson and Georgina Anderson.

Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship, and the Wilbur & Frankie Adams Memorial Scholarship. Castaneda is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Rodrigo Castaneda and Esperanza Castaneda.

Scholarship and the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute Scholarship. ValdovinosArevalo is a graduate of Bridgeport High School and the daughter of Abel Valdovinos and Araceli Valdovinos.

Lizbeth Ortiz Jeronimo, East Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship. Ortiz Jeronimo is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Maria Jeronimo.

Lizeth Tostado, Rock Island, is the recipient of the Northern Fruit/Ice Lakes Scholarship. Tostado is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Jose

Tostado and Maria Aguilar.

Veronica Ramirez, Orondo, is the recipient of the Honeybear Marketing Scholarship. Ramirez is a graduate of Chelan High School and the daughter of Juan Ramirez and Rosa Sanchez.

Xitlali Solano, East Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship. Solano is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Felix Solano.

Zita Bravo, Rock Island, is the recipient of the Chelan Fresh Scholarship. Bravo is a

graduate of Eastmont High School and the daughter of Benjamin Bravo and Maria Valdovinos.

Memory of Guadalupe Campos from our Othello Ranch. Lara Urueta is a graduate of McLoughlin High School and the daughter of Juan Lara and Rosalina Urueta de Lara.

graduate of Pasco High School and the daughter of Jesus Solano and Natalie Solano.

Ramos is a graduate of Royal High School and the son of Angel Farias and Maria Ramos.

Alondra Rodriguez Luna, Warden, is the recipient of the Northern Fruit/Ice Lakes Scholarship. Rodriguez Luna is a graduate of Warden High School and the daughter of Jesus Rodriguez and Mirasol Gonzalez.

Brynn Christensen, Royal City, is the recipient of the WAEF BOD Renewal Scholarship. Christensen is a graduate of Royal High School and the daughter of Aaron Christensen and Kristen Christensen.

Daisy Barajas, Beverly, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Barajas is a graduate of Wahluke High School and the daughter of Miguel Barajas and Maria Manzo.

Produce Co/Royal High School Scholarship. Castro Anguiano is a graduate of Royal High School and the daughter of Jose Castro and Maria Elena Anguiano Castillo de Castro.

Jonathan Alegre Rodriguez, Royal City, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Vocational Scholarship. Alegre Rodriguez is a graduate of Royal High School and the son of Humberto Alegre Ramos and Gabriela Alegre Rodriguez.

Karen Arellano-Cruz, Mattawa, is the recipient of the Brian Fisher Memorial/Antles Pollen Supplies, Inc. Scholarship. Arellano-Cruz is a graduate of Wahluke High School and the daughter of Diego Arellano Velazquez and Roberta Cruz.

Karina Cruz, Mattawa, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Cruz is a graduate of Wahluke High School and the daughter of Crispin Cruz and Silvina Martinez.

Victor Garibay-Alejandre, Quincy, is the recipient of the Fred Valentine Memorial Fund Scholarship. Garibay-Alejandre is a graduate of Quincy High School and the son of Luis Garibay and Maria Garibay.

• Kaitlyn McNerney, Parkdale, is the recipient of the Chamberlin Agriculture

Scholarship. McNerney is a graduate of Hood River Valley High School and the daughter of Kevin McNerney and Jennifer McNerney.

• Samuel Adams, Ellensburg, is the recipient of the Richard Keller Memorial/Apple King Scholarship. Adams is a graduate of Florence-Carlton High School and the son of Joshua Adams and Ekaterina Adams.

Grant Gillespie, Okanogan, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Gillespie is a graduate of Okanogan High School and the son of Late Brent Gillespie and Kari Gillespie.

Heriberto Martinez, Tonasket, is the recipient of the Schlect Family Scholarship. Martinez is a graduate of Tonasket High School and the son of Jesus Martinez and Graciana Regis.

• Matthew Ramirez, Anaheim, is the recipient of the Tree Top, Inc. Scholarship. Ramirez is a graduate of Buena Park High School and the son of Pablo Ramirez and Ha Ramirez.

Emily Martinez-Flores, Milton Freewater, is the recipient of the Foreman Fruit Scholarship. Martinez-Flores is a graduate of Mcloughlin High School and the daughter of Amadeo Martinez and Elvira Flores de Martinez.

Fredy Mendoza, Umatilla, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Mendoza is a graduate of Hermiston High School and the son of Floriselda Alvarez.

Guadalupe Hernandez Gomez, Milton Freewater, is the recipient of the Foreman Fruit Scholarship. Hernandez Gomez is a graduate of McLoughlin High School and the daughter of Alfredo Hernandez Jimenez and Esmeralda Hernandez.

• Rolando Castillo, Milton Freewater, is the recipient of the Christian & Janet Schlect Scholarship. Castillo is a graduate of Mcloughlin High School and the son of Abel Castillo and Maria Perez.

graduate of Columbia High School and the daughter of Candelario Cruz and Rosenda Rodriguez.

Aden Mata, Yakima, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Mata is a graduate of West Valley High School and the son of Rosalio Angel Mata and Keri Mata.

Adriana Paredes Vasquez, Yakima, is the recipient of the Borton & Sons Scholarship. Paredes Vasquez is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Mario Paredes and Adela Vasquez Ortega.

Alex Olvera-Vargas, Yakima, is the recipient of the Borton & Sons Scholarship, the

Monson Fruit Scholarship, and the Washington Apple Education Foundation

Scholarship. Olvera-Vargas is a graduate of West Valley High School and the daughter of Alejandro Olvera and Imelda Vargas.

Araceli Calvario, Yakima, is the recipient of the A.C. Davis & Dorothy Plath Memorial Scholarship. Calvario is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Gabriel Ordaz and Maria Ordaz.

Ariana Soto, Moxee, is the recipient of the Roy Farms Scholarship and the Wilbur Ellis Scholarship. Soto is a graduate of East Valley High School and the daughter of Jesus Soto and Maria Galvan.

Arisbeidi Camacho, Tieton, is the recipient of the C.G. Robbins Memorial Scholarship. Camacho is a graduate of Highland High School and the daughter of Alma Camacho.

Scholarship, the Personnette/Van Horn Memorial Scholarship, and the Shearer/Copeland Memorial Scholarship. Govea is a graduate of Highland High School and the daughter of Cesar Govea and Maria Jimenez.

Cassandra Mendoza, Yakima, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Mendoza is a graduate of Eisenhower High School and the daughter of Lorena Mendoza Gonzalez.

Catherine Melchor Banales, Yakima, is the recipient of the Martin & Judy Verbrugge Scholarship. Melchor Banales is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Jorge Melchor and Norma Banales.

Celeste Vergara-Borges, Outlook, is the recipient of the Roy Farms Scholarship. Vergara-Borges is a graduate of Sunnyside High School and the daughter of Raul Vergara Solares and Maria de los Angeles Borges Lugo.

Emma Heeringa, Outlook, is the recipient of the H.R. Spinner Corporation Scholarship. Heeringa is a graduate of Sunnyside High School and the daughter of Micah Heeringa and Sarah Heeringa.

EmmaLee Nishi, Zillah, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship and the Yakima County Farm Bureau Scholarship. Nishi is a graduate of Zillah High School and the daughter of Jon Nishi and Sylvia Nishi.

Erica Delgado-Gutierrez, Union Gap, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Delgado-Gutierrez is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Andres Delgado and Herminia Gutierrez.

Scholarship and the Pottratz Family Scholarship. Lopez-Villanueva is a graduate of Highland High School and the daughter of Gerardo Lopez and Maria Lopez Villanueva.

Genevieve Newstead, Yakima, is the recipient of the Susi Harris Memorial Scholarship.

Newstead is a graduate of La Salle High School and the daughter of Paul Newstead and Germaine Newstead.

Geraldine Tavira, Tieton, is the recipient of the Cowiche Growers Inc. Scholarship. Tavira is a graduate of Highland High School and the daughter of Manuel Tavira and Orfelina Arteaga.

Guadalupe Martinez, Union Gap, is the recipient of the Washington Fruit & Produce Company Scholarship. Martinez is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Juan Martinez and Crispina Badillo.

Scholarship. Garcia Gutierrez is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Jose Garcia Magana and Ignacia Gutierrez Zaragoza.

Jacquelyn Diaz, Tieton, is the recipient of the Columbia Valley Fruit Scholarship. Diaz is a graduate of Highland High School and the daughter of Jose Luis Diaz and Lourdes Diaz.

Jadyn George, Yakima, is the recipient of the Allan Brothers Scholarship. George is a graduate of Naches Valley High School and the daughter of Gregory George and Tanya George.

graduate of Sunnyside High School and the daughter of Isidoro Soberanes and Maria Marin.

Leandro Mendoza, Yakima, is the recipient of the A.C. Davis & Dorothy Plath Memorial Scholarship. Mendoza is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the son of Saul Mendoza and Maria Garcia.

Lehman Hires, Naches, is the recipient of the Phil Jenkins Memorial/POM Club Scholarship and the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Hires is a graduate of Naches Valley High School and the son of Lehman Hires.

graduate of Riverside Christian School and the daughter of Christopher Spielman and Valerie Spielman.

County Farm Bureau Scholarship, and the Yakima POM Club YVC Ag Program Scholarship. Rowe is a graduate of Naches Valley High School and the daughter of Morgan Rowe and Angela Rowe.

Company Scholarship and the Joe & Ann Hall Education Fund Scholarship. Romero Gomez is a graduate of Highland High School and the son of Marcial Romero Marin and Maria Del Rosario Gomez.

Maria Navarro, Yakima, is the recipient of the Yakima Fruit & Cold Storage

Scholarship. Navarro is a graduate of Eisenhower High School and the daughter of Pedro Navarro and Olga Sanchez.

Martha Benitez Solorzano, Union Gap, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Benitez Solorzano is a graduate of Eisenhower High School and the daughter of Armando Benitez and Rossana Solorzano.

Scholarship. Hernandez is a graduate of Sunnyside High School and the son of Mauricio Hernandez and Maria Hernandez.

Zuniga is a graduate of Toppenish High School and the daughter of Emilio Zuniga and Antonia Zuniga.

Scholarship and the Price Cold Storage & Packing Company Scholarship. Martinez Magana is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Fernando Martinez Cardenas and Norma Martinez.

Reyna Flores Perez, Yakima, is the recipient of the Terry Kelson Memorial Scholarship. Flores Perez is a graduate of Eisenhower High School and the daughter of Ruben Flores Fausto and Benita Perez Mondragon.

Rosa Bautista, Yakima, is the recipient of the Hansen Fruit Company LLC Scholarship, the HUB International Scholarship, and the Phil Jenkins Memorial/POM Club Scholarship. Bautista is a graduate of Eisenhower High School and the daughter of Hermelindo Bautista and Brigida Bautista.

Guadarrama is a graduate of Wapato High School and the daughter of Favian Guadarrama and Ana Garcia.

Wendy Cruz, Yakima, is the recipient of the Roche Fruit Scholarship. Cruz is a graduate of AC Davis High School and the daughter of Vidal Cruz and Silvia Hernandez.

Yozelyn Chavez, Tieton, is the recipient of the Cowiche Growers Inc. Scholarship and the Personnette/Van Horn Memorial Scholarship. Chavez is a graduate of Highland High School and the daughter of Yess