Off to College! The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance Honors our 2020 Scholarship Recipients

What is the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance (CWA) Scholarship Program?

The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance (CWA) is a non-profit organization, established in 1989 to support our family growers and winemakers with education, marketing and community relations services. Each year the CWA awards scholarships to high school students pursuing a career in an Agricultural or Science related fields. This year, the CWA was able to award three, $1000 scholarships thanks to the generous support of our donors at the 2019 Calaveras Grape Stomp Auction. Money collected was used to directly fund the three scholarships.

Who was awarded the 2020 Scholarships?

This year the scholarships were awarded to Liliann Tudbury and Emma Garcia of Bret Harte High School as well as Benjamin Hesser of Calaveras High School.

Where are these scholarship recipients headed?

Liliann Tudbury of Murphys will be attending Columbia College for two years where she will earn her Associate Degree before furthering her education at a four year university to major in Agriculture. After graduating with her degree, Liliann plans to pursue a career in agriculture by developing her own business where she can focus on public awareness and the importance of agriculture in our everyday lives. While in High School Liliann raised a Guide Dog for the Blind and spent all four years in FFA and was the Bret Harte FFA Chapter Secretary her senior year. We applaud Liliann's entrepreneurial spirit and devotion to the growth of public knowledge in agriculture!

Emma Garcia of Copperopolis will be attending Columbia College for two years before transferring to California State University Stanislaus where she will be studying Biological Science. After receiving a degree in Biology, Emma plans to complete her education with a Master's Degree in Ecology and Sustainability. Emma plans to return to Calaveras County to pursue a career as a fish and game warden where she can help protect the native wildlife and agricultural aspects of the community. Emma spent all four years in the FFA and was the Bret Harte FFA Chapter Reporter her senior year. We anxiously await Emma's future return to Calaveras County and the knowledge and passion she brings with her!

Benjamin Hesser of Valley Springs will be attending Stanford University or the University of California Davis to study Earth Systems, Plant Biology, or Environmental Engineering before pursuing a graduate degree focusing in Sustainable Agriculture. Benjamin aspires to be an agricultural engineer, researcher, or educator with the goal of developing and implementing sustainable agricultural methods that will meet the challenge of our growing population. Benjamin spent his time in High School in numerous clubs and sports programs, he held a Chapter Officer position three out of the four years in the Calaveras FFA and was the Class President for three years before becoming the Associated Student Body President his senior year. Benjamin's leadership and determination is just what the Agricultural Industry needs to tackle any challenge it comes up against!

The Calaveras Winegrape Alliance is proud to support these three students this year and our local high school students each year in their pursuit to further their education and become leaders in the agricultural business. We are thankful to our loyal supporters and donors at the annual Grape Stomp and look forward to seeing you online this year at our Virtual Grape Stomp: Backyard Edition on Sunday, September 27th with an Online Auction following.

Special thanks to our Scholarship Committee:

We would also like to recognize our Scholarship Committee Members who spend countless hours reading all scholarship applications to ensure that the three scholarships are awarded to those students who best meet the criteria from year to year. A big round of applause to Diane Cornish, Pamela Aderman, Nuala Jordan, Gary Hill and Sandy Hill for a job well done!

For information on how you can support the CWA in these efforts please contact us at 209.728.9467 or info@calaveraswines.org.