SACRAMENTO, June 11, 2021 – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation has awarded $26,000 in college scholarships to seven students. The scholarships are awarded annually to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower.
“The CAWG Foundation is honored to award these scholarships and show our support for vineyard employees who are valued members of our winegrape industry family,” said Davindar Mahil, chair of the CAWG Foundation board of directors.
Each year the CAWG Foundation board selects several recipients from high schools throughout the state. Scholarship selection is based on scholastic ability, financial need, community involvement, leadership and an essay. Since the program’s inception in 1998, the foundation has awarded $528,500 in scholarships.
Four-Year University Scholarship Recipients / $8,000 each
Jocelyn Cervantes Cabrera, Bakersfield, Foothill High School
Dafne Cruz Rodriguez, Santa Rosa, Windsor High School
Four-Year University Scholarship Recipient / $5,000
Rebecca Hernandez, Windsor, Windsor High School
Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipients / $2,000 each
Daniela Romero, Plymouth, Amador High School
Samantha Zavala Ferro, Ione, Amador High School
Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipient / $1,000
Lauryn Allen, Templeton, Templeton High School
FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP / $8,000 EACH
Jocelyn Cervantes Cabrera, Bakersfield, Foothill High School
Cabrera is a first-generation Mexican-American who believes that education will pave the way to a better future. She is an exceptional student, who managed community college courses in addition to her rigorous high school courses and achieved a 4.5 GPA. Cabrera was active in numerous school clubs and held leadership positions for three years with student government. She greatly contributed to community service projects, including a homeless shelter, local library, highway cleanup and toy drive. Cabrera plans to attend UC Berkeley, major in biochemistry and someday become a neurologist.
Dafne Cruz Rodriguez, Santa Rosa, Windsor High School
Cruz likes to dream big and has high aspirations to make a positive impact in her community and the world. A first-generation Mexican-American, she has worked hard for her academic success, achieving the No. 1 rank in her class with a 4.6 GPA. Cruz has an extensive list of leadership and volunteer experiences, including Project T.R.U.E. (Teen R U Educated), Committee for Change, Sonoma County Library and Windsor Unified School District (WUSD) student representative. Cruz plans to attend UC Berkeley or UC Irvine and major in political science or sociology, and then pursue a career in law or education.
FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP / $5,000
Rebecca Hernandez, Windsor, Windsor High School
The daughter of immigrants, Hernandez will be the first in her family to attend college, which will bring great pride to her Latino community and family. Her hard work in school, which included nine AP classes, resulted in a 4.3 GPA. Hernandez plans to attend UC Irvine and major in global cultures, with the goal of becoming a teacher and making a difference in her community.
TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP / $2,000 EACH
Daniela Romero, Plymouth, Amador High School
With wisdom from her immigrant parents, Romero takes her education very seriously and strives to take advantage of every opportunity by staying focused, being consistent and excelling in classes. A diligent student with a 4.1 GPA, Daniela prioritized academics while being actively involved throughout high school with the FFA program. Romero plans to attend Modesto Junior College and major in ag education/ag science, then transfer to Chico State. Her goal is to become an ag teacher and inspire students to be part of the industry.
Samantha Zavala Ferro, Ione, Amador High School
During high school, Ferro successfully managed difficult academic material because she had a confident maturity, a natural curiosity and an excitement for learning. Her dedication and efforts resulted in a 4.2 GPA. As a Mexican-American daughter of immigrants whose family has faced some challenges, Samantha knows the value of hard work and education. Ferro plans to attend Columbia College, major in psychology and pursue a career as a therapist or teacher.
ROBERT MILLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP / $1,000
Lauryn Allen, Templeton, Templeton High School
Immersed in the wine industry her entire life, Allen is excited it will be part of her future. She is a hardworking and ambitious student who took numerous AP and community college courses during high school and earned a 4.3 GPA. Allen was active in the U.S. Pony Club for 10 years, Sarah Dubost Equestrian Team for 10 years, the high school newspaper and the STEM-Chemical Engineering Program. Through the STEM program, she interned as a lab technician for several months. She plans to attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, major in viticulture and enology, and pursue a career as an enologist, lab technician and sommelier.
About the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation
The CAWG Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. For more information, visit www.cawgfoundation.org.
