World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up for the eighth year to provide the "We Believe in Growing" scholarship which supports local high school students who will be attending four-year universities to major in an agricultural field. This year's winners, Angelica Fernandes and Emily Babcock, will each receive $2,500 scholarships to be renewed up to four years, totaling $10,000 per student."Agriculture has many aspects-and education is a large part of that," said Casey Tharp, E.M. Tharp, Inc. "We at E.M. Tharp are proud to be a part of that future by giving these students new opportunities to build on an already solid background in agriculture."
Angelica Fernandes, a student at Tulare Union High School, plans to study agriculture education at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo this coming fall. She is a Tulare FFA Chapter Officer, participates on the Tulare FFA Dairy Show Team, and is involved in her Associated Student Body as an Academic Commissioner.
"It's a huge honor to be awarded this scholarship and I couldn't be happier!" said Fernandes. "I'm looking forward to my future in ag education--this scholarship will be very beneficial for me. Thank you to everyone at E.M. Tharp."
Emily Babcock, a student at Porterville High School, plans to study agricultural business at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She has been a 4-H Mentor for four years, and is currently the president of the Porterville FFA, and FFA sectional vice-president.
"It has always been my dream to attend Cal Poly and major in ag business to prepare myself for a career that will have an impact on the agriculture industry," said Babcock, "I feel extremely grateful to be a recipient of this scholarship and blessed to live in a community that provides opportunities like these for students."
To be considered for the scholarship, students from across the Central Valley submitted letters of recommendation, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores and must be graduating from high school during the 2014-2015 school year. The winners will be recognized at World Ag Expo's media day on Monday, February 9, 2015.
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