Chelan, Manson, and Entiat students awarded scholarships by Washington Apple Education Foundation

WENATCHEE - The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) has awarded scholarships to several students from Chelan, Manson, and Entiat for the 2024-2025 academic year. These scholarships, sponsored by the tree fruit industry, support students with ties to the industry in pursuing their educational goals.

In Chelan, Alexandra Vazquez-Rocha, Benjamin Brownfield, Catherine Martinez-Bautista, Itzel Martinez Bautista, Kira Sandoval, and Leonardo Velazquez were among the recipients. Vazquez-Rocha received the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship, while Brownfield and Sandoval were awarded the Chelan Fresh Scholarship. Martinez Bautista received the Don Morse Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship, and Velazquez was awarded both the Don Morse Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship and the Moss Adams LLP-E. Peter Krier Scholarship.

Several Manson students were also recognized, including Amy Marquez-Echeverria, Angel Lopez-Arellano, Cameron Willoughby, Jonathan Sarmiento, Jordan Castro, and Nadia Verduzco. Marquez-Echeverria received the James E. Jim Loudon Memorial Scholarship and the Mike Harris Scholarship, while Lopez-Arellano and Sarmiento were awarded the Don Morse Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship and the Howard & Helen Hauff Memorial Scholarship, respectively. Willoughby received the John Daniel Gebbers Memorial Scholarship, and Castro was awarded the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Verduzco received the Valley Tractor & Equipment Scholarship.

In Entiat, Katherine Barragan-Ayala and Trent Renslow were recognized. Barragan-Ayala received the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship and the Foreman Fruit Scholarship, while Renslow was awarded the Harold Grim Memorial Scholarship.

The WAEF scholarships, totaling over $1 million, aim to support students from the tree fruit industry in their academic pursuits. Recipients also benefit from the Beyond the Scholarship Program, which offers a range of support services to ensure student success. The program boasts an 89% retention rate, with 85% of students completing their degrees within four years or less.

Chelan County Scholarship Recipients

• Alayna Groce, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Groce is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Andrew Groce and Jenni Groce.
• Alejandra Beltran Maldonado, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Northern Fruit/Ice Lakes Scholarship. Beltran Maldonado is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Gilberto Beltran and Deyanira Damaris Maldonado Avila.
• Alejandra Gil-Camacho, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. Gil-Camacho is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Juan Gil-Lopez and Maria de Los Angeles Camacho.
• Alexandra Vazquez-Rocha, Chelan, is the recipient of the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship. Vazquez-Rocha is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Eliseo Vazquez-Jimenez and Elva Vazquez.
• Alvaro Andres Medrano Melgar, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. Medrano Melgar is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Mirna Indira Melgar Vega.
• Amy Marquez-Echeverria, Chelan, is the recipient of the James E. Jim Loudon Memorial Scholarship, and the Mike Harris Scholarship. Marquez-Echeverria is a graduate of Manson High School and the child of Gil Ortega Ibalzabal and Maria Yesenia Echeverria Hernandez.
• Ana Sanchez Leon, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Hans & Lavonne van Someren Gréve Scholarship. Sanchez Leon is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Alfonso Sanchez Camacho and Teresa Leon Tovar.
• Andrea Guillen, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Wilbur & Frankie Adams Memorial Scholarship. Guillen is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Oscar Guillen and Cira Agaton.
• Angel Lopez-Arellano, Manson, is the recipient of the Don Morse Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship. Lopez-Arellano is a graduate of Manson High School and the child of Jesus Lopez and Maria Arellano.
• Angel Milan-Aguilar, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Pace International Scholarship, the Stemilt Growers Scholarship. Milan-Aguilar is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the child of Norma Milan.
• Angel Nolasco, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Gerri Whiteaker Memorial/Antles Pollen Supplies, Inc. Scholarship. Nolasco is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Angel Nolasco-Flores and Lilia Oropeza.
• Angela Blanco, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Stemilt Growers Scholarship. Blanco is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Alberto Blanco and Guadalupe Sanchez de Blanco.
• Ashlee Nunez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Stemilt Growers Scholarship. Nunez is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Braulio Omar Nunez and Guillermina Maldonado.
• Benjamin Brownfield, Chelan, is the recipient of the Chelan Fresh Scholarship. Brownfield is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Michael Brownfield and Lynne Brownfield.
• Betsy Gomez-Aviles, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Gomez-Aviles is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Alberto Gomez Covarrubias and Celina Aviles Zaragoza.
• Bryan Garcia Bautista, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Mathison Family Scholarship. Garcia Bautista is a graduate of Eastmont High School and the child of Teresa Bautista.
• Cameron Phillips, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Northwest Wholesale Incorporated Scholarship, the Taylor Orchards Scholarship, and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Scholarship. Phillips is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Mike Phillips and Kay Phillips.
• Cameron Willoughby, Manson, is the recipient of the John Daniel Gebbers Memorial Scholarship. Willoughby is a graduate of Manson High School and the child of Christopher Willoughby and Diana Willoughby.
• Catherine Martinez-Bautista, Chelan, is the recipient of the Don Morse Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship. Martinez-Bautista is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Jesus Martinez Sanchez and Lucia Bautista Martinez.
• Colby Musser, Monitor, is the recipient of the Van Doren Sales Vocational Scholarship. Musser is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Glen Musser and Stephanie Musser.
• Colson Brunner, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Jim Wade Memorial Scholarship. Brunner is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of the Late Nick Brunner and Jennifer Brunner.
• Eduardo Mata, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Van Doren Sales Scholarship. Mata is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Gabriel Mata and Sanjuana Mata.
• Elle Spears, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Chelan Fresh Scholarship. Spears is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Marc Spears and Dawn Spears.
• Erick Rodriguez Murillo, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Rodriguez Murillo is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Jose Rodriguez and Maria Murillo.
• Ericka Barboza, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Barboza is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Florencio Barboza and Teresa Barboza.
• Fabiola Torres, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship. Torres is a graduate of Cascade High School and the child of Felipe Sanchez and Carmen Mora.
• Gabriela Ramirez, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Emily & William Gant Scholarship. Ramirez is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Norberto Ramirez and Teresa Ramirez.
• Ingrid Carvajal Macias, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Wilbur Ellis Scholarship. Carvajal Macias is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Daniel Carvajal and Yaneth Macias.
• Itzel Martinez Bautista, Chelan, is the recipient of the Herold & Vicki Peebles Scholarship and the Orville & Bertha Peebles Memorial Scholarship. Martinez Bautista is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Jesus Martinez Sanchez and Lucia Bautista Martinez.
• Jackeline Serrano Rodriguez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Beatriz Garibay-Vega Scholarship. Serrano Rodriguez is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Juan Serrano Mendoza and Matilde Rodriguez.
• Joanna Peña-Rodriguez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Robert Prince Memorial Scholarship and the Triple G Orchards Scholarship. Peña-Rodriguez is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Jose Peña Ramirez and Maricela Peña-Rodriguez.
• Jonathan Sarmiento, Manson, is the recipient of the Howard & Helen Hauff Memorial Scholarship, the Vicki Armbruster Peebles Scholarship, and the Wilbur Ellis Scholarship. Sarmiento is a graduate of Manson High School and the child of Heriberto Sarmiento Ceceña and Irma Marquez Sarmiento.
• Jordan Castro, Manson, is the recipient of the Washington Apple Education Foundation Scholarship. Castro is a graduate of Manson High School and the child of Jesus Ramon Castro and Olivia Castro.
• Jorge Guerrero, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Chelan Fresh Scholarship. Guerrero is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Socorro Herrera.
• Joseph Schuyleman, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Fred Valentine Memorial Fund Scholarship. Schuyleman is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Nathan Schuyleman and Jane Schuyleman.
• Juan Martinez Nieto, Dryden, is the recipient of the Bill DeWitt Memorial Scholarship, the Mathison Family Scholarship, and the Washington Apple Education Foundation/Vocational Scholarship. Martinez Nieto is a graduate of Cascade High School and the child of Juan Martinez and Norma Nieto.
• Juana Palacios Villalobos, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Robert Prince Memorial Scholarship. Palacios Villalobos is a graduate of Cascade High School and the child of Yose Martinez and Ana Palacios.
• Karina Amaya, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Wilbur & Frankie Adams Memorial Scholarship. Amaya is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Amanda Amaya.
• Katherine Barragan-Ayala, Entiat, is the recipient of the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship and the Foreman Fruit Scholarship. Barragan-Ayala is a graduate of Entiat High School and the child of Mario Barragan-Hernandez and Sara Ayala Gonzalez.
• Kenia Sanchez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Schlect Family Scholarship and the Blue Bird, Inc./Garry Williams Memorial/Washington Cherry Growers Scholarship. Sanchez is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Marcelino Sanchez and Gloria Martinez.
• Kesia Guerra, Malaga, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Guerra is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Adelina Murillo Tejeda.
• Kimberly Dodson, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Hans van Someren Greve Scholarship. Dodson is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Jonathan Dodson and Gemma Dodson.
• Kira Sandoval, Manson, is the recipient of the Chelan Fresh Scholarship, the Herold & Vicki Peebles Scholarship, and the Jennifer Witherbee Scholarship. Sandoval is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Brandon Sandoval and Heather Sandoval.
• Kirsten Jarmin, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Stemilt Growers Scholarship. Jarmin is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Matthew Jarmin and Anne Jarmin.
• Kody Richards, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Jacquelyn Horan-McDougall Memorial Scholarship. Richards is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Gregg Richards and Faith Richards.
• Lauren Ware, Chelan, is the recipient of the Stemilt Growers Scholarship. Ware is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Erik Ware and Alison Ware.
• Leonardo Velazquez, Chelan, is the recipient of the Don Morse Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship and the Moss Adams LLP-E. Peter Krier Scholarship. Velazquez is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Valentin Velazquez and Maria Velazquez.
• Lesly Vejar, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. Vejar is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Oscar Rojas and Sarai Garcia.
• MaKenzie Griggs, Chelan, is the recipient of the Mathison Family Scholarship. Griggs is a graduate of Chelan High School and the child of Marcus Griggs and DeAnna Griggs.
• Melissa Sencion-Lara, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Northern Fruit/Ice Lakes Scholarship. Sencion-Lara is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Heliodoro Sencion Cosina and Maria L. Sencion.
• Molly Coonfield, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Glady Bellamy Memorial Scholarship and the Jacquelyn Horan-McDougall Memorial Scholarship. Coonfield is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Leland Coonfield and Loretta Coonfield.
• Nadia Verduzco, Manson, is the recipient of the Valley Tractor & Equipment Scholarship. Verduzco is a graduate of Manson High School and the child of Oracio Verduzco Chavez and Norma Verduzco.
• Nora Gutzwiler, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Betty Campbell Loudon Memorial Scholarship and the KJ Hendershott Memorial/Chelan Fruit Scholarship. Gutzwiler is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Jacob Gutzwiler and Michelle Gutzwiler.
• Oscar Martinez-Medina, Malaga, is the recipient of the AgroFresh Scholarship and the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute Scholarship. Martinez-Medina is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Marcos Martinez Rico and M. Soledad Martinez-Medina.
• Oscar Oropeza, Cashmere, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Oropeza is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Norberto Oropeza and Lady Oropeza.
• Rachel Taylor-Carleton, Manson, is the recipient of the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute Scholarship. Taylor-Carleton is a graduate of Bend High School and the spouse of Neil Carleton.
• Raquel Pedraza-Blanco, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Blue Bird, Inc./Les Moser Memorial Community Service Award Scholarship. Pedraza-Blanco is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Jorge Pedraza and Margarita Blanco.
• Sara Martinez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship. Martinez is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Daniel Martinez and Diana Cisneros.
• Trent Renslow, Entiat, is the recipient of the Harold Grim Memorial Scholarship. Renslow is a graduate of Entiat High School and the child of Shane Renslow and Katie Renslow.
• Wendy Castellanos Bueno, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the Thomas K. Mathison Memorial Scholarship. Castellanos Bueno is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Guillermo Nava and Maria Isabel Castellanos Gomez.
• Yameli Lopez, Wenatchee, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Lopez is a graduate of Wenatchee High School and the child of Fernando Lopez and Ethel Lopez.
• Yasleni Mejia, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Wilbur Ellis Scholarship. Mejia is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the child of Javier Mejia and Late Evangelina Mejia Naranjo.