California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships; Ian LeMay Comments

FRESNO, CA - As high school graduates prepare to begin their college careers this fall, eight students from the table grape growing regions of California will be aided with scholarships awarded by California table grape growers.

Growers awarded two $25,000 field worker scholarships to students attending a four-year college or university. Three $14,500 field worker bridge scholarships were awarded to students attending two years of community college and transferring to a four-year college or university. In order to be eligible for a field worker scholarship, applicants, a parent, or a guardian must work in the California table grape harvest. Three $25,000 agricultural scholarships were awarded to students attending a four-year California college or university and planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in a field of study pertinent to the table grape industry.

Since 1985, California table grape growers have awarded more than 200 scholarships to help students in the grape growing regions of California attend college. “Maintaining a scholarship program for 40 years is an exciting milestone and a testament to California table grape growers’ continued investment in the community that surrounds the California table grape industry,” said Ian LeMay, commission president, in a recent release. “At the same time, it illustrates why choosing California grapes is important in that it helps fuel support for all those working in the industry and their families,” said LeMay.

$25,000 Field Worker Scholarships

Ms. Alexa Yvette Ruiz Rios graduated at the top of her class from Roosevelt High School with a 4.32 GPA and will attend the University of California, Irvine to study business administration and political science. Alexa studied law and policy, and business finance at The Center for Advanced Research and Technology. Alexa’s involvement in a number of extracurriculars, including Health Youth Corps, Youth Court, and the Californians for Justice Club, has well prepared her for her upcoming journey to become a corporate lawyer. Hear Alexa in her own words here: https://youtu.be/pQ-MBdaJTA0?si=l_8ivYGWHnfzHx3K.

Ms. Daisy Sanchez Fernandez graduated from Delano High School with a 4.38 GPA and will attend the University of California, Berkeley to study political science as she starts her journey in becoming an immigration lawyer. Daisy was awarded the 2025 Migrant Honor Student of the Year and served as the soprano section leader in choir. Daisy was an active member of multiple school clubs and organizations, including the service club, math club, mock trial, choir, and Future Business Leaders of California. Hear Daisy in her own words here: https://youtu.be/aeR7Z7IDpXI?si=mZveEY0Zdm9fq9YY.

See the full list of winners here.