SALINAS, CA, June 21, 2024 – The California Rodeo Salinas has distributed a record-breaking $47,500 in scholarships to local students pursuing higher education. For 38 years, California Rodeo Salinas has proudly provided scholarships. Four years ago, the program expanded from solely offering scholarships through Hartnell College to including a program via the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). Students currently attending or graduating from Hartnell can apply for the Hartnell College scholarship. The CFMC scholarship is available to California Rodeo Salinas Committee Members or their relatives, and funds can be used for any college or post-high school education program, including trade schools.
Kelly McCarthy Sutherland, Chair of the California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship Advisory Committee, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Our committee had approximately 50 applications to review this year, with so many incredible students. It wasn't easy to choose our recipients. We chose these eleven students because they impressed us with their strong work ethic, ability to persevere when faced with challenges, and commitment to our community. This year we are giving the most we have ever given: $47,500. We know this year’s recipients will benefit from our investment in them, and we look forward to them returning it to our community.”
This year a total of 11 scholarships were awarded, with 6 through Hartnell College and 5 through CFMC.
Hartnell College recipients include:
Lana Ibrahem
Napolean Navarro
Hailey Ortega
Guadalupe Rivera
Britney Vera-Cortes
Monica Villacana
Community Foundation for Monterey County recipients include:
Nicholas Dominguez
Nayeli Jimenez
Taylor Jonte-Saiz
Makayla Lemmon
Luis Mejia
Here are the student biographies:
Lana Ibrahem
Lana Ibrahem, a resilient scholar hailing from Monterey, has recently completed her studies at Monterey Peninsula College and Hartnell College. As the first in her family to venture into the sciences, Lana's academic journey is a testament to her parents' sacrifices as Kurdish refugees striving for a better life. Despite facing financial hardships and tough decisions, Lana's dedication shines through as she aspires to pursue a PhD in Biochemistry and Biomedical Clinical Research. The Rodeo scholarship's support is deeply meaningful, enabling Lana to pursue her dreams without the burden of financial constraints. Her gratitude extends to the scholarship committee and her family for their unwavering support on this fulfilling educational path.
Napolean Navarro
Napoleon Navarro, a dedicated scholar from Salinas, expresses that the scholarship reinforces his commitment to academic and community service, providing crucial financial support as he advances toward his educational and career aspirations in Agricultural Systems Management and Agricultural Education. Napoleon sees this scholarship as recognition of his efforts and affirms his trajectory in making a positive impact in the agricultural sector. His gratitude extends to the scholarship committee for their belief in his potential and for aiding him in pursuing his dreams.
Hailey Ortega
Hailey Ortega, a driven student from Salinas attending Hartnell College, sets her sights on completing her bachelor’s in political science, attending law school, and becoming a family lawyer. The California Rodeo Scholarship signifies a crucial step towards Hailey's academic success and career ambitions, offering much-needed financial assistance and support. Hailey's dedication to her goals, underpinned by the scholarship's impact, sets her on a path of growth and influence in the legal field. With gratitude in her heart, Hailey looks forward to leveraging this opportunity to make a positive difference in her community through her future endeavors.
Guadalupe Rivera
Guadalupe Rivera of Salinas, a promising student at Hartnell College with plans to become a Licensed Vocational Nurse, finds immense value in the scholarship's support, enabling her to focus on her studies and fulfill her goals without the weight of financial constraints. The scholarship represents a lifeline for Guadalupe, offering continued assistance in her pursuit of helping others in the community through her nursing career.
Britney Vera-Cortes
Britney Vera-Cortes, a determined individual from Salinas, is on her educational path from Hartnell College to UC Berkeley to become a Structural Engineer and own her engineering company. The Rodeo scholarship holds significant weight for Britney, alleviating financial pressures and paving the way for her academic and professional aspirations. This support brings her closer to realizing her goals and further emphasizes her commitment to excellence in her field. Britney expresses heartfelt gratitude to the scholarship committee for believing in her potential and supporting her academic journey.
Monica Villicana
Monica Villicana of Salinas, a first-generation college student venturing into Journalism/Communications at Hartnell College, acknowledges the California Rodeo Scholarship as a significant boost to her confidence in pursuing higher education. The financial support and recognition from the scholarship foundation have uplifted Monica as she navigates her educational journey towards her aspirations, while also instilling a sense of pride and gratitude for her past and future achievements.
Nicholas Dominguez
Nicholas Dominguez of Salinas, a dedicated individual pursuing a career in nursing, appreciates the financial relief provided by the scholarship, easing the burden on his family and allowing him to chase their shared dream of attending college. The scholarship signifies hope and opportunity for Nicholas as he embarks on his educational journey, fueled by the support and belief of the Rodeo Scholarship Committee.
Nayeli Jimenez
Nayeli Jimenez, an 18-year-old from Salinas and a graduate of Rancho San Juan High School, is dedicated to pursuing a career in Architecture with a focus on educational entities at UC Berkeley. For Nayeli, receiving this scholarship is a significant step towards realizing her academic aspirations and giving back to her community post-graduation. Expressing gratitude for the support of her friends, family, and teachers, Nayeli acknowledges their unwavering encouragement that has propelled her towards achieving remarkable milestones. The scholarship holds a special place in Nayeli's journey, bridging the gap between her educational dreams and future community contributions, underscoring the value of support and determination in reaching goals.
Taylor Jonte-Saiz
Taylor Jonte-Saiz, a dedicated educator from Salinas, emphasizes the profound impact of the scholarship on easing financial burdens and supporting her advanced studies in Educational Leadership at Concordia University of St. Paul. As a mature scholar navigating a transformative educational path, Taylor's gratitude for the scholarship committee's belief in her potential is palpable. The scholarship not only empowers Taylor in her pursuit of educational excellence but also propels her towards making a positive influence within the community through her advocacy for children and families.
Makayla Lemmon
Makayla Lemmon, an 18-year-old from Prunedale in the Salinas Valley area, is poised to pursue her passion for Animal Science at Chico State following her high school graduation. Her aspirations include establishing and managing her breeding operations, with a specific focus on goats to give back to the 4-H and FFA community. The significance of being awarded the scholarship resonates deeply with Makayla as it alleviates financial burdens for both herself and her family, enabling her educational pursuits at Chico. Expressing profound gratitude, Makayla acknowledges the Rodeo Scholarship committee and board members for their support, recognizing the pivotal role this scholarship plays in realizing her academic and career goals.
Luis Mejia
Luis Mejia, a driven scholar from Salinas pursuing Agricultural Plant & Soil Science, conveys heartfelt gratitude to the California Rodeo Salinas for their scholarship support. As he strives towards a master’s degree in Crop Science at Cal Poly, Luis acknowledges the scholarship's role in validating his hard work and dedication to his academic journey. The financial assistance provided by the scholarship enables Luis to pursue his passion for agriculture without the weight of financial constraints, motivating him to excel in his academic pursuits and community contributions.
Photo by Mag One Media. Front L to R: Monica Albanil Villicana; Guadalupe Rivera; Hailey Ortega; Lana Ibrahem; Back L to R: Matt Ottone; Napolean Navarro; Taylor Jonte-Saiz; Nayeli Diaz Jimenez, Makayla Lemmon; Luis Mejia; Kelly Sutherland; Steve Davis
About California Rodeo Salinas
The 114th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 18-21, 2024. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year-round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donations of our facility, vending, and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association created opportunities for non-profits and community groups to receive over $771,000 in 2023. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775-3100.
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