Ms. Anali Alcantar graduated from Harmony Magnet Academy with a 3.3 GPA and will attend Porterville College to study education. Anali is an active community member, spending her time as a SCICON camp counselor and volunteering with the Porterville Barn Theater group. Anali will be the first in her family to attend college and afterwards looks forward to being an elementary school teacher helping young students learn English.
Ms. Brenda Monje graduated from Tulare Western High School with a 4.1 GPA and will attend California State University, Fresno to study food technology. Brenda was a member of the Tulare FFA grapevine pruning team, earned a California State FFA degree, and served as the San Joaquin Regional FFA Vice President. Brenda is interested in the future of agriculture technology and after college desires to contribute to technological innovations in the agriculture industry.
Ms. Leslie Aquino graduated from East Bakersfield High School with a 4.5 GPA and will attend University of California, Merced to study computer science. Leslie was a member of her school cross-country and track teams, avid church and community volunteer, and was selected to participate in the Kern High School District Art Show. Leslie is not only the first person in her family to graduate high school, but graduated at the top of her class and will be the first in her family to attend college this fall.
Ms. Lizbeth Ramirez Ramos graduated from Harmony Magnet Academy with a 4.0 GPA and will attend Porterville College to study nursing. Lizbeth was a member of the President’s List and participated in the Academic Decathlon, winning a gold and bronze medal. Lizbeth was a SCICON camp counselor and also served as an Imagine Arts Intern, assisting K-6th graders with STEM projects. Lizbeth has a passion for healthcare; after finishing her prerequisites in nursing, Lizbeth plans to transfer to a four-year university to specialize in obstetrics.
Ms. Madison Jackson graduated from Liberty High School with a 4.1 and will attend California State University, Chico to study agriculture education and environmental science. Madison was deeply involved in FFA, serving in several FFA leadership positions, attending numerous FFA conferences, and helping her grape vine pruning team place fifth in the state finals. Madison is passionate about the future of agriculture and plans to become an agriculture teacher after college to help future students understand the importance of agriculture and environmental stewardship.
Mr. Marco Jimenez graduated from Delano High School with a 4.2 GPA and will attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo to major in civil engineering. Marco was the captain of the Delano High School Drumline and a founding member of the Delano High School Gardening Club, which raises and maintains a variety of plants and crops. As a dedicated volunteer in the community, Marco hopes to return to Delano after college to further aid in the city’s development as a civil engineer.
Ms. Olivia Machado graduated from Tulare Western High School with a 4.3 GPA and will attend California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo to study agriculture business. Olivia was an active member of the Tulare FFA, earning several FFA degrees and awards from various FFA competitions such as first place Ag Issues State Finalist and third place Ag Issues National Finalist. Olivia was also a dedicated athlete as a member of the basketball, track and field, water polo, and swim teams. After college, Olivia plans to attend law school to become an agriculture lawyer to advocate for farmers, ranchers, and the agriculture industry.
Californians have been cultivating grapes for more than two centuries. Today, 99 percent of U.S. table grapes are produced in California's warm, dry climate that is ideal for grape growing. With more than 90 grape varieties grown, California grapes come in three colors—green, red and black—and are in season from May through January.