Turlock chamber awards $25,000-plus to ag students
More than 20 students got money for agricultural studies in college Monday, along with some advice: Look for internships.
The Turlock Chamber of Commerce awarded $25,300 to students at seven high schools in Stanislaus and Merced counties at its 16th annual Ag Scholarship Luncheon. Another $5,000 went to two students from a new fund in memory of Jim Booth, who had served on the event committee.
About 300 people turned out at the Turlock Turf Club to hear about the importance of education to the region’s farming and food processing.
Get internships and meet as many people as you can. Get that contact.
Dominic Agresti-Assali
past scholarship recipientDominic Agresti-Assali, a 2010 scholarship recipient, told the crowd about his dairy science studies at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He now works in his family’s diverse ventures in the Hughson and Ceres area, including dairy farming, row crops and almonds.
“Get internships and meet as many people as you can,” Agresti-Assali told the 2016 recipients. “Get that contact.”
David Ahlem, president and chief executive officer at Hilmar Cheese Co., said scientists of various types are part of its 1,400-member workforce in Hilmar, Turlock and Dalhart, Texas. He also noted the importance of internships in giving students an idea of what the workplace demands.
“Ask a lot of dumb questions,” Ahlem said. “I’m still doing it today.”
The luncheon has raised $208,800 for scholarships since 2001. It has provided another $103,000 for the 4-H Farmyard Experience at the Stanislaus County Fair and other ag education efforts.
The first $2,500 scholarships from the Booth fund were awarded to Abigail Dirkse of Denair High School and Ryan Vieira of Hilmar High. Each also received $1,500 from the main chamber fund.
Students from these schools also won scholarships:
Denair: Tristan Haile, $750.
Hilmar: Brandon Almeida, $1,500; Jason Edwards, $1,000; Maximino Morales, $950
Hughson: Mark Borges, $1,500; Keona Estevam, $1,500; Garrett Hartman, $1,200; Valeria Mendoza, $1,000; Madelyn Vaca, $1,200.
Livingston: Austin Randall, $1,200; Liliana Reyes Solorio, $1,500; Elias Williams, $1,000
Turlock Christian: Alexis Smith, $1,500
Turlock: Daryl Dias, $1,000; Grant Doerksen, $1,000; Tyler Harcksen, $750; Tylerr Metcalf, $1,000; Alexia Nunes, $1,000
Waterford: Austin Blagg, $1,000; Arynn Funneman, $750.
John Holland: 209-578-2385
This story was originally published March 14, 2016 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Turlock chamber awards $25,000-plus to ag students."