WENATCHEE, WA - The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is awarding a record $1.3 million in scholarships to more than 320 students for the 2026–2027 academic year.

“This is a record year for WAEF, made possible by the remarkable generosity of the tree fruit industry and our donors,” said WAEF Board Chairman Tyler Price in the recent release. “Even when conditions within the industry are challenging, WAEF supporters continue to come through in big ways for students. We are deeply grateful for their commitment.”

Approximately 75% of WAEF scholarship recipients are first-generation college students. Scholarships are renewable annually so long as students meet academic requirements. Beyond financial assistance, WAEF supports students through mentoring, career exploration, professional development, and opportunities to connect with industry volunteers and one another.

Scholarship Recipients

Adams County

• Jose Torres, whose parents are Guillermo Acosta and Yuliana Camarillo, received the Gilbert Orchards scholarship. A graduate of Othello High School, Torres now attends Big Bend Community College.
• Monserrat Camarillo-Ramirez, whose parents are Arturo Camarillo and Maria Del Rosario Ramirez, received the Washington Fruit & Produce Company scholarship. A graduate of Othello High School, Camarillo-Ramirez now attends Gonzaga University.
• Yunuen Mejia, whose parents are Jose D. Mejia and Rocio Garcia, received the Washington Fruit & Produce Company scholarship. A graduate of Othello High School, Mejia now attends Eastern Washington University.
  Benton County
• Jahir Gonzalez Montelongo, whose parents are Saul Gonzalez Espinoza and Veronica Gonzalez, received the First Fruits Marketing scholarship. A graduate of Kennewick High School, Gonzalez Montelongo now attends Washington State University Tri-Cities.
• Jaretzy Gonzalez-Murillo, whose parents are Ossiel Gonzalez and Rosa Murillo, received the Douglas Fruit scholarship. A graduate of Kennewick High School, Gonzalez-Murillo now attends Washington State University Tri-Cities.
• Jocelyn Cancino, whose parents are Juan Cancino and Bertha Corona, received the Gilbert Orchards scholarship. A graduate of Kennewick High School, Cancino now attends Yakima Valley Community College.
• Abril Guevara, whose parents are Alberto Guevara and Rosaura Guevara, received the Dalton & Pamela Thomas scholarship. A graduate of Kiona Benton High School, Guevara now attends Columbia Basin College.
• Aida Roy, whose parents are Brenton Roy and Alicia Roy, received the Pacific Label scholarship. A graduate of Prosser High School, Roy now attends University of Portland.
• Alicia Martin, whose mother is Lorena Martin, received the Washington Fruit & Produce Company scholarship. A graduate of Prosser High School, Martin now attends Washington State University.
• Allyson Denny, whose parents are Michael Denny and Nicole Denny, received the Wheatland Bank scholarship. A graduate of Prosser High School, Denny now attends Whitworth University.
• America Meza, whose parents are Roman Meza and Veronica Meza, received the Joe & Ann Hall Education Fund scholarship. A graduate of Prosser High School, Meza now attends University of Washington.
• Bryseida Lopez, whose parents are Artemio Lopez and Maria Ambriz, received the Washington Fruit & Produce Company scholarship. A graduate of Prosser High School, Lopez now attends Columbia Basin College.
• Trent Russell, whose parents are Ryan Russell and Alesha Russell, received the Phil Jenkins Memorial/POM Club scholarship. A graduate of Prosser High School, Russell now attends Eastern Oregon University.
• Isaac Welch, whose parents are David Welch and Kate Welch, received the Van Doren Sales scholarship. A graduate of Richland High School, Welch now attends Grand Canyon University.
• Valeria Rodriguez, whose parents are Alvaro Rodriguez and Juana Rodriguez, received the Nordic scholarship. A graduate of Southridge High School, Rodriguez now attends Washington State University.
• Lena Olsen, whose parents are Martin Olsen and Claudia Olsen, received the Tree Top, Inc. scholarship. A graduate of Three Rivers Homelink, Olsen now attends Central Washington University.

See the full list here.