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Each year, the Imperial County Farm Bureau presents local students with scholarships to aid them in their studies. The scholarship fund is supported by donations and our annual Farm Bureau Scholarship Barbecue, held annually on the fourth Friday in April.
The scholarship selections for the 2011 scholarship program have been made and we are very excited to be able to issue more than $15,000 in scholarships this year to local students! We sincerely appreciate all those who supported the Farm Bureau BBQ, and those who have donated toward the Vern Highley Memorial and Matt LaBrucherie Memorial Scholarships. Those are the people who make these scholarships possible.
Imperial County Farm Bureau scholarships are open to Imperial County students who will be enrolled in college full-time pursuing an agriculture-related career. (See the sidebar along the right for additional scholarship opportunities for local students interested in agriculture.)
The following students were selected to receive scholarships for the 2011-12 school year. If you'd like to get to know a few of our previous scholarship recipients, click here.
Imperial County Farm Bureau Scholarship
2011 Scholarship Program Recipients
Robert Phillips
Robert remembers the first plane that he ever flew in, and credits that moment with instilling in him a desire to become a pilot. He is determined to become a helicopter crop duster pilot. This fall he will be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; after he completes school he will serve a tour of duty with the Army, and hopes to return to Imperial Valley after completing his service to become a crop duster pilot.
William Young
Throughout high school, William has been involved in Brawley Wildcat football, playing on the varsity team three years; 4-H, where he was selected to participate in California Boys State; Junior Fair Board; and still maintained a strong GPA. This fall he will be attending the University of Arizona, and is looking forward to completing his education so he can return to the Imperial Valley to pursue a career as a ranch manager.
Christina Dammarell
Christina has been very involved in 4-H for several years, serving on the county small animal leadership team and as her club's president. Meanwhile, she works in her parents' hay tarping business, is a Sunday school teacher, works as a shift manager at her church coffee shop, and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. Christina strongly believes in the importance of serving her community, and is looking forward to returning to the Valley after college to continue making a difference here.
Kayanna Gilbert
Kayanna has grown up around farming and agriculture her entire life. Her grandfather, great-grandfather and two great-great-grandfathers farmed in Imperial County and were very active in the agriculture community. Kayanna is determined to return to the Imperial County and give back to the agriculture industry. She has a deep appreciation for agriculture and loves to educate those around her about ag and the rural life.
Amanda Leckband
Amanda is a Brawley High School graduate whose goal is to become a veterinarian. "Since the day I was born, I have been in the saddle. It is no wonder that my next goal is to become a large animal veterinarian." Amanda will attend Imperial Valley College in the fall and plans to transfer to Sul Ross State University in Texas, where she has qualified for the Sul Ross Rodeo team. After college, she plans to return to the Imperial Valley to help fill the need for a large animal/equine veterinarian here.
Maureen Croak
Maureen is among the fourth generation in her family to be involved in agriculture in Imperial Valley. A Holtville native, her father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all farmers locally, and they instilled in her a deep love and appreciation for agriculture. Maureen hopes to share that appreciation and love with students when she becomes an ag teacher. This fall, Maureen will begin her sophomore year at Imperial Valley College.
Valeria Valencia
Valeria came from a family that is not directly involved in agriculture, and reveled in opportunities to share her appreciation for ag with her family and others through her participation in Imperial FFA. Valeria continues to have a passion for agriculture and is looking forward to instilling an appreciation for ag in her future students. This fall she will be continuing her studies at Imperial Valley College.
Brianne Chavarin
Brianne is a fourth-year student at U.C. Santa Barbara and a Brawley Union High School graduate. Through nearly a decade of involvement in 4-H she developed an appreciation for agriculture, as well as strong leadership skills. In college, she continues to be involved in many extra-curricular activities including sports, her sorority, a part-time job and helping out with 4-H projects whenever she can.
Matthew LaBrucherie Scholarship
2011 Scholarship Program Recipients
Hannah Nesmith
Hannah is a former foster child who is determined to beat the odds. Only 1% - 5% of former foster youth ever graduate college. Hannah is one year away from becoming part of that small percentage. She intends to continue on with her education after receiving her Bachelor's Degree next year to become a veterinarian. She hopes to be an example for other foster youth to show them that they, too, can succeed in higher education.
Debbie De La Riva
Debbie is a three-time recipient of a Farm Bureau scholarship. The Southwest High graduate was the first among her family to earn a college degree. She will be entering the doctorate program at U.C. Riverside this fall to continue her studies in entomology. As an undergrad student, Debbie was involved in several research projects with her professors, who each spoke very highly of her work ethic, skill and demeanor.
Brooke Bradshaw
Throughout high school, Brooke has been extremely involved in her community and school. In addition to Holtville FFA, the Junior Fair Board, and numerous other activities, Brooke traveled to Jamaica on a mission trip, and was one of only 45 students in the nation accepted into the NRA YES (Youth Education Summit) program! This fall, Brooke will begin her freshman year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
Brea Haller
From her involvement with Imperial FFA through high school, Brea has learned the importance of agriculture and the need for advocates for the industry. This fall, Brea will begin her freshman year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. During college, Brea looks forward to becoming very involved in student organizations and is eager to expand her education and have the chance to give back to her community and the industry.
Lucio Zepeda
Lucio grew up working around his father and grandfather's cattle ranch, raised feeder calves at Calexico FFA and spent summers working at the Cameiro Heifer Ranch. He always knew he wanted a career in agriculture. But during a trip to Mexico he learned about orchids, roses and citrus, and realized that his passion is in plant science. Lucio now works at Cal Poly's Agriscapes as a landscape designer and manager while he attends school at Cal Poly.
Courtney Miller
Courtney has had a passion for animals for as long as she can remember. She chose to attend Oklahoma State because of its reputation as a veterinary school. Her experience there has given her an even greater appreciation for agriculture. She is fascinated by production agriculture and cattle genetics, and looks forward to returning to the Valley after completing school to work in genetics with a stocker operation.
Adam Deen
Adam was inspired to make a career in agriculture as he grew up watching his father work in ag. He will be attending Cuesta College this fall and plans to transfer to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and major in ag business. Adam is proud to be among the first generation of his family to attend college, and hopes to become a produce broker when he graduates.
Wesley Deen
Living around agriculture in Imperial Valley and watching his father's work in the industry sparked an interest in Wesley and he is eager to make a career in agriculture. At Imperial High School, he kept a strong GPA while participating in many sports and community activities. Wesley served on the Junior Fair Board and has been active in 4-H for nine years, raising the Reserve Supreme Grand Champion feeder calf at the 2011 fair.
Vern Highley Scholarship
2011 Scholarship Program Recipients
Lindsey Stiff
Lindsey is a Holtville native, and is in her junior year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Lindsey plans to get her Masters in animal science and hopes to embark on a career where she can work hands-on with animals every day. Her focus is on livestock production and she has enjoyed several experiences through her coursework breeding and raising poultry and other birds.
Preston Hutchinson
Preston has been around animals throughout his life. Growing up in Brawley he participated in 4-H activities for many years and developed a passion for animals. Preston will be a freshman at Arizona Western College this fall. After he earns his degree, he hopes to return to the Valley to work with local cattle yards.
Taylor Ortiz
As a Brawley FFA member, Taylor was named the Cal Poly Pomona Outstanding Student in Plant Science, and it was then that she knew she wanted a career in plant science. Taylor is now a junior at the University of Idaho majoring in crop & weed science. Her professors speak very highly of her leadership and abilities. After college she looks forward to becoming a plant geneticist or breeder.
Cheyenne Ayala
Cheyenne is entering her third year at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she is majoring in agribusiness and ag marketing. Cheyenne is from Brawley, and is actively involved in school and extracurricular activities at Cal Poly. She helps out at a SLO-area 4-H club, participates in the collegiate horse judging team, works a part-time job, and still manages a full schedule of classes.