Vineyard Team announces scholarship winners
Five Central Coast students will receive the first annual scholarship for children of Vineyard Team-member wineries and vineyard employees
The Central Coast Vineyard Team announced the winners of its inaugural educational scholarships, and will celebrate with recipients at the annual member barbecue on July 15. Scholarships are awarded to recent high school graduates and current college students who are children of vineyard employees for Vineyard Team-member wineries and vineyards.
The winners for this year are:
Francisco Santa Maria Jr., Nipomo
Josue Flores, Greenfield
Carina Ramirez, Shandon
Elizabeth Rodriguez, Greenfield
Georgina Rodriguez, Greenfield
Criteria for the Educational Scholarships included official transcripts and SAT scores, a letter of recommendation and a one-page personal statement. The team posted announcements for the scholarship program on their website and via e-newsletters.
Total scholarship awards amounted to $10,000 and were provided through donations from Justin Vineyards & Winery; Barrel Associates International; and Justin and Heather Smith, whose donation of an exclusive tour and tasting for four, as well as a package of six Saxum magnums from the 2013 vintage, were raffled at this year’s Earth Day Food & Wine Festival’s main event in support of the educational scholarship program.
“The Vineyard Team recognizes that children of vineyard workers are often the first generation of college students in their families,” said Executive Director of the Vineyard Team Kris Beal. “For twenty years, our mission has been to pursue sustainability, not just ecologically but socially, too. This scholarship definitely addresses that social side.”
The Vineyard Team is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable viticulture practices. Visit www.vineyardteam.org or call (805) 466-2288 to learn more about the Vineyard Team, the Educational Scholarship Program, and the SIP (Sustainability in Practice) Certification Program.
