Karla Ahumada - "Being born and raised in Salinas, CA I have grown to love the lush green fields of leafy vegetables and colorful fruit that surround my community. Being part of the agricultural industry allowed me to expand my leadership skills and to be a proud advocate that defends the agricultural community. I strive to have a positive and powerful impact in the industry by continuing my education at CSU, Chico as an Agricultural Business and Crop Science major, so that I can return to my community to support farms, improve crops and protect our natural resources."
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to our
2022 Scholarship Recipients
Jennifer Mejia - A daughter of a hard agriculture woman and sister to five brothers. I was born and raised in Aromas, California. I’m a focused student who has maintained a 3.5 and higher GPA through all semesters. My plan is to major in Bachelor of Science in Nursing at San Jose State University. Helping others has always been a trait of hers ever since she started school at the age of 3. A kind hearted female who has set many goals and aspires to help her community. In the past four years she has completed a large number of service learning hours in her community.
Vianey Villanueva - I am a second-year student majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior. As a first-generation student from a low-income, farm-working family, I will be the first in my family to graduate from college. My career aspiration is to obtain a job in Human Resources Management and help employees in the workplace.
Arlette Del Toro Rodriguez - I’m from Watsonville, CA but was originally from Arizona. I’m majoring in clinical nutrition & public health at UC Davis. I like fashion, going on unnecessary shopping sprees, attending car shows, being involved in school and throughout my community, specifically advocating for mental health and substance abuse throughout my community, I also like getting my nails done, & working. I'm super excited for UC Davis and look forward to earn a degree in science there as a first generation student.
America Cardoso - I am a first-generation student of Latinx descent. I recently graduated from Everett Alvarez High School and will be attending California State University, Monterey Bay this upcoming fall, where I will be pursuing a career in Psychology. My goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist to assess and treat people with mental, emotional, and behavioral illnesses.
Kimberly Zavala Torres - I am a Latina first generation student, an immigrant daughter, and an immigrant myself. I was born in Irapuato Guanajuato, Mexico and migrated to Salinas California at the age of 9. I am a graduate from Everett Alvarez High School and plan to further my education by attending California State University, Monterey Bay this upcoming. I will be pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. As for my future goals I plan to start my own wine business, I know that will take a lot of commitment, dedication, and determination but I am certain I can achieve that and more.
Emily Cruz-Ramos - I am a teen mother and the first in my family to go to college. My interest in agriculture grew when I started working in the strawberry fields at a very young age. I was very curious about things I encountered while working and I wanted to learn more about Ag. I would like to continue working in agriculture but in a higher position, rather than picking strawberries all day. I am transferring to CSUMB from Hartnell College Fall of 2022. I am majoring in Plant and Soil science with the hope to become an agronomist. My daughter motivates me to continue my education and provide her with everything I couldn't have growing up.
Jacqueline Martinez - I am a high school graduate from Alisal High School in Salinas California. I am continuing my education this fall at Santa Clara University. I plan to attend the Leavey School of Business, an undecided major. My goal is to become a business analyst and in the future be able to give back to my community.
Yesenia Tena - I am currently 17 years old. I come from Salinas, California, a small city located on the central coast. I am a recent graduate from Everett Alvarez High School and will be attending UC Merced in the fall of 2022. My major of focus is psychology, and my goal is to one day be able to return to my hometown and give back. Especially, most notably in the mental health spectrum.
Veronica Becerra - I just finished my first year at San Jose State University. I'm majoring in Political Science with a minor in Psychology. I've been lucky enough to have had many opportunities to succeed this year. I am interning at an Adult Day Care as well as recently being elected secretary to the Model UN club at the University. I am excited to continue these next three years and to work towards my higher education as well as give back to my community. It is because of organizations like the CWA Scholarship that I can reach my goals.
Lissandra Nambo-Belmonte - I am currently a senior attending Watsonville High School . Throughout my 4-years of high school, I have been enrolled in various programs and extracurricular activities. I am currently Vice President of the MATA (Mexican Americans Taking Action) club. I will be attending UC Santa Cruz where I will be majoring in Human Psychology, Culture & Society with a minor in Latino/Latinx Studies.
Karina Narez - I am a first-generation Hispanic student. I recently graduated from Everett Alvarez High School and will be attending California State University, Sacramento this upcoming fall. I will be pursuing a career in Business Administration Finance. My goal with pursuing this career is to either work as a real estate or corporate finance.
Diana Garcia-Lopez - I recently graduated from Pajaro Valley High School. I will be attending UC Davis this Fall where I will major in Psychology. I then plan to continue my education to obtain a Master’s degree. My ultimate goal is to work for Child Protective Services. As a first generation student and child of farm-workers, I am very excited to pursue higher education. I would like to give back by working with children and families in the community I grew up in.
Perla Martinez - I'm a first-generation Mexican student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Plant and Soil Science and a minor in Spanish Language and Culture at Cal State Monterey Bay. I was born and raised in Michoacan, Mexico and migrated to California in 2011. I’m the first one in my family to attend a four-year university, always knew I wanted to pursue higher education.
Alexandria Ramirez - I just completed my sophomore year at Chico State where I am majoring in Agricultural Leadership & Communication. In addition to my studies, I work part-time at the Chico State Farm in the Meats Lab. I am also very involved with the professional agriculture sorority Sigma Alpha where I will be serving as Treasurer for the 2022 – 2023 year, I am the Chico State Ag Ambassadors Special Events Co-chair, and I served on the FFA Field Day Leadership Committee. After I earn my bachelor's degree in Agricultural Leadership & Communication, I plan to pursue my master's degree in agriculture as well. My goal is to have a career where I am able to work with and mentor other people in this industry and be a spokesperson and ambassador for it. I hope to pursue a career that allows me to continue to promote Agriculture such as Marketing or Public Relations, perhaps for a farm bureau or the United States Department of Agriculture.
Suzette Segoviano - I am currently attending CSUMB. I am majoring in Agricultural Plant and Soil Sciences and plan on graduating in the spring of 2024. Being born and raised in Salinas, I have always had an appreciation for our city’s fields and for its big footprint in the AG industry. Even though I started college in a different major, throughout my recent years in college I have learned quite a lot from different subjects and became drawn immediately to AG sciences. It was after taking my first AG science classes that I realized that it was where I belonged and - though it was a very hard decision- I decided to change majors. I appreciate the many career choices available to me and just how broad this industry is. Though I am just beginning to learn more about the AG field, I am very excited to see what my future holds for me and what I can do to contribute to it.
Mariela Hernandez-Medina - I am a graduate of Gonzales High School. I graduated from a police academy and recently changed my career path towards agriculture after getting exposure to the ag industry. I am currently attending Hartnell College and will transfer in the fall 2023 to CSUMB to obtain a B.S. in Ag Plant & Soil Sciences. My goal is to become a Pest Control Advisor and stay in the Salinas Valley.
Samantha Hansen - I am a 2021 Salinas High School Graduate currently attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo for a major in Animal Science. I was born and raised in Salinas and growing up I always had animals like goats, horses, pigs, dogs, and cats. I am very excited for this summer when I will be shadowing a large animal veterinarian in Monterey County. At Cal Poly, I have taken a number of animal related courses already such as Equine Science and Small Ruminant Science. After Cal Poly, I plan to continue my education by attending a vet school to get my Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.
Breanne Rosas - I attended San Benito high school in Hollister, CA. I have been in love with animal care since I was in 2nd Grade and I knew then that I wanted to study animal aid. I felt that the US couldn't handle me; therefore I will be attending Nottingham Trent Uni in the United Kingdom, so that I may study Animal Biology to become a Veterinary Technician.
Sophia Cori - I graduated from North Monterey County High school and now I am studying Agriculture Education at the University of Idaho entering my junior year. I plan on becoming an agriculture teacher and I hope to elevate the voice of agriculture through my future students who are our world's next generation of agriculturists.
Abby Pardue - I am a soon to be senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I am studying Agricultural Systems Management, which is essentially a hybrid of Agricultural Business & Agricultural Engineering. I absolutely love my major and love the department that has now become my family. Throughout my three years in college so far I have gotten very involved in the main club under our department called Agricultural Engineering Society.
