Blue Diamond Growers Foundation announces 2023-24 scholarship award winners

The Foundation was established in 2008 for the purpose of providing scholarships to four-year degree students with excellent academic performance.

Blue Diamond Growers Foundation recently announced its 2023-2024 scholarship recipients. This year, scholarship funding is being awarded to 25 college students who are either dependents of Blue Diamond employees or are members of local communities who are pursuing agriculture-related fields of study at colleges and universities in California and throughout the country.

“We are proud of this year’s scholarship recipients and wish them the best as they pursue their higher education goals,” said Dan Cummings, chairman of the board of directors for Blue Diamond Growers. “The Blue Diamond Growers Foundation is committed to supporting the next generation of students, students who will undoubtedly contribute to the success of the greater agricultural industry for many years to come.”

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the Blue Diamond Growers Foundation was established in 2008 for the purpose of providing scholarships to students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance and are pursuing a four-year college degree. Since 2011, the Blue Diamond Foundation has awarded nearly 200 scholarships to help students in local communities achieve their dreams of a college education.

This year’s Blue Diamond Growers Foundation scholarship recipients include:

NAME/HOMETOWN	COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY	MAJOR
McKayla Aiken Hilmar, Calif.	UC Davis	Agricultural Development
Janessa Alba Springville, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Business Management
Madison Andrade Visalia, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Business
Amelia Bettencourt Turlock, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Business
Gabriel Borges Fresno, Calif.	CSU Fresno	Horticulture
Haylie Caetano Riverdale, Calif.	Reedley College	Plant & Soil Science
Caleb Callison Hanford, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Systems Management
Avery Fowler Wilton, Calif.	Corban University	Agricultural Science
Trista Fry Kingsburg, Calif.	CSU Fresno or UC Davis	Plant and Soil Science
Kaylen Jaime Rancho Cordova, Calif.	Cal Poly SLO	Agricultural Communications
Megan Kroon Farmington, Calif.	Dordt University	Agricultural Business
Karli Lanzi Artois, Calif.	Oklahoma State University	Agricultural Education
Meika Lauppe Nicolaus, Calif.	Arizona State University	Agricultural Business
Christina Moitozo Gustine, Calif.	Oklahoma State University	Agricultural Communications
Kaylie Ramos Fresno, Calif.	CSU Fresno	Agricultural Education
Reagan Richard Visalia, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Business
Holly Rudnick Bakersfield, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Communications
Kelsey Solimine Modesto, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Business
Emily Sonke Roseville, Calif.	Covenant College	History
Alyssa Sozinho Visalia, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Agricultural Education
Julie Sporleder Acampo, Calif.	Cal Poly, SLO	Plant and Soil Science
Cade Stafford Live Oak, Calif.	Oklahoma State University	Agricultural Business
Mallory Sutherland Bakersfield, Calif.	CSU Fresno	Agricultural Business
Gianna Vaccarezza Linden, Calif.	Auburn University	Agricultural Business
Erika VanderMaarl Visalia, Calif.	Texas Tech University	Agricultural Business

Liz Parker is the senior editor of Candy Industry and Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, and has worked at BNP Media since 2012. She has written for CBS Detroit as well as for her own blogs. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan. Liz can be contacted at (248) 839-7156 or at parkere@bnpmedia.com.

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