WENATCHEE, Wash. – The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) and Stemilt Growers have combined forces once again to help six local students with college costs through various scholarships. On Monday, July 24th students, teachers, parents and organizations from around the valley gathered to award multiple students for their academic achievements, merit and overall excellence at a luncheon held at the Wenatchee Convention Center. WAEF will also hold a luncheon in Yakima, Washington on July 31st.
WAEF is a charity of Washington’s tree fruit industry where they were able to award just under $1 million in scholarships to 250 students for the upcoming school year.
Stemilt has partnered with WAEF for a decade now to award hardworking students for their successes in and outside of the classroom. Stemilt has created three scholarships; the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship, the Renewal Scholarship and Single Year Scholarship.
Two students received the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship this year that is based on high moral character, students have a history of making choices that are morally sound and their values align with Stemilt’s founder, Tom Mathison, who was a hardworking individual who was committed to his community and dedicated to his family.
The students awarded these $20,000 scholarships are Stemilt employee Marcos Quiroz and Martimeano Villa. Quiroz, a student who is pursuing a degree in tree fruit management, and is working at Stemilt in Research & Development while still earning the credits to receive his degree. Villa is a senior at Toppenish High School with a 3.96 grade point average who has faced many hardships in his high school career, however, still making an excellent grade point.
The other Stemilt recipients are as followed: Amaris Casarez, a current student at UCLA who is on a path towards a degree in chemistry and plans to continue onto medical school; Edgar Apolinar a graduating senior from Wenatchee High School who plans to study law; Daisy Montejano, a Wenatchee High School grad who plans on following a path towards architecture or another related field; Jasmin Guerrero is a senior at Eastmont High School, who plans on attending Washington State University to pursue a career path in criminal justice; Sami Everhart, a Wenatchee High School grad who graduated with a 3.97 GPA and plans on working in communications and graphic design; and Jose Torres Arellano, a graduated senior from Eastmont High School who plans on becoming an electric engineer. Each of these students will be receiving between $2,500 and $4,000 to help with college costs this fall.
“The WAEF programs gives many the opportunity that may have not been there before,” states West Mathison, president of Stemilt Growers. “We are ecstatic to support the children of Stemilt’s team members as they are the future for the industry.”
Earlier this month, Stemilt presented WAEF with a check for $51,800 that was raised by the 9thAnnual Thomas K. Mathison Golf Tournament that was held at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club. This money will fund the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship this year and years to come.
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About Stemilt
Stemilt Growers is a leading tree fruit growing, packing and shipping company based in Wenatchee, Washington. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt is the leading shipper of sweet cherries and one of the largest supplier of organic tree fruits in the nation. Stemilt has also demonstrated a commitment to sustainable agriculture and social responsibility since 1989, when founder Tom Mathison launched the company’s Responsible Choice program. For more information about Stemilt, visit www.stemilt.com and follow Stemilt on Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube.
Source: Stemilt Growers
