California Rodeo Salinas Announces 2018 Scholarship Recipients
Six Students to Receive a Total of $9,750
Photo provided by the California Rodeo Salinas. Recipients (left to right): Rafael Mendoza, Emmilu Choy, Morgan Dawes, Tyler Thompson, Yajaira Garcia and Cynthia Chavez.
SALINAS, CA, June 22, 2018 – The California Rodeo Salinas believes in giving back to our local community, particularly youth causes, and what better cause is there than education? Each year the California Rodeo Salinas awards scholarships to students graduating from Salinas Valley High Schools who are attending Hartnell Junior College or transferring from Hartnell to a University. Students of Salinas Valley high schools who are seniors in the fall may apply if they will be attending Hartnell the following fall. Students must be 17 years of age or older and special consideration is given to Rodeo Committee Members as well as children or grandchildren of Rodeo Committee Members in good standing. Since 1986, scholarships have been awarded to sixty-eight students totaling over $73,000. The scholarship program is run through the Hartnell College Foundation and more information can be found at: http://www.hartnell.edu/scholarships. Applications are typically online in early January and due at the end of February each year.
There are six recipients this year who earned a total of $9,750: Cynthia Chavez, Emmilu Choy, Morgan Dawes, Yajaira Garcia, Rafael Mendoza and Tyler Thompson. Three of these individuals had an affiliation with the California Rodeo Salinas. Read more about each student below.
Cynthia Chavez is attending Stanislaus State University, with hopes of enrolling into the graduate program for aspiring teachers. Cynthia plans to earn her credentials, and return home to teach. This scholarship has helped to provide the support necessary for Cynthia to further her education.
Emmilu Choy recently graduated from Hartnell College with an Associate of Art degree and will begin her pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in nursing in the fall. Emmilu is looking forward to continuing her education with the help of this scholarship, and plans to work at a local community hospital following graduation.
Morgan Dawes will be attending Fresno State University in the fall after having received an associate degree from Hartnell College in natural sciences. Morgan hopes to become an equine veterinarian in Salinas where she will also continue her work in the local FFA and 4-H groups. Morgan is grateful that this scholarship will allow her to focus on her education at her new university.
Yajaira Garcia will be transferring to University of California Berkeley in the fall, after having received her associate degree from Hartnell College. Yajaira plans to attain a degree in political science at Berkeley, which she will use to become a prosecutor for the Monterey County Superior Court. Yajaria is looking forward to continuing her education, which this scholarship has helped to make possible.
Rafael Mendoza is currently attending Hartnell College with hopes of attaining a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. Rafael will use his degree to become an engineering executive, and is thankful for the opportunity that this scholarship provides.
Tyler Thompson will be transferring to Fresno State University in the fall after completing three years at Hartnell College, and receiving Associate of Science degrees in sociology and social sciences. Tyler hopes to attain a master’s degree in either history or political science, in order to pursue a career as a professor. Tyler is excited about the opportunities this scholarship will provide while attending Fresno State.