The deadline for youths to apply for one of the nine 2025 Friends of the Dixon May Fair College Scholarships, totalling $31,000, is Saturday, March 1.
Known as the annual Donnie and Tootie Huffman Scholarship Program, the scholarships are open to all Solano County high school graduates who are majoring in an agricultural field in a university or community college within the United States. Last year the Friends awarded $26,000 in scholarships.
Since 2000, the organization has awarded a total of $274,750 to Solano County residents majoring in agriculture, announced Carrie Hamel of Dixon, the scholarship chair. Initially only Solano County high school graduates attending college in California were eligible to enter.
In the four-year university or college category, these scholarships are available:
–Donnie Huffman Presidential Scholarship Award of $8000
–JoAn Giannoni Scholarship Award of $5000
–Ester Armstrong Memorial Scholarship Award of $4000
–Joe Gates Memorial Scholarship Award of $3500 to the second, third and fourth place qualifiers
Two-year community college:
–Jack Hopkins Scholarship Award of $1500
–$1000 scholarship award
The Friends, an all-volunteer, service-oriented organization, is the fundraising arm of the Dixon May Fair. Headed by president Gilbert “Gil” Molina of Vacaville, the organization raises funds through the sale of beverages at the four-day fair, and donates the proceeds for building and grounds improvements, college scholarships and exhibitor awards.
Applicants are scored on personal, civic and academic experience; academic standing; personal commitment and established goals; leadership potential; and civic accomplishments. Most applicants have experience in 4-H, FFA or Grange–criteria desired but not mandated.
Continuing scholarship winners may apply up to four times, Hamel said. Scholarship checks can be used only for tuition, fees, books, materials and supplies, housing, and meals purchased on campus.
The application form can be downloaded from the Friends of the Fair Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheDixonMayFair. In addition, the PDF can be accessed on Dropbox at https://tinyurl.com/yc8vphw7
Completed application packets must be postmarked no later than 5 p.m.. on March 1, 2025 and mailed to: Scholarship Committee, Friends of Dixon May Fair, P.O. Box 242, Dixon, CA 95620. For more information, contact Carrie Hamel at hamelc88@gmail.com or (530) 219-8090.
The 2024 recipients:
Donnie Huffman Memorial Scholarship: Sam Esperson of Rio Vista; JoAn Giannoni Award, Massimo Menicou of Vacaville; Ester Armstrong Memorial Award, Natalie Victorine of Dixon; Joe Gates Memorial Award, Elena Mendonsa of Vacaville; four $3000 scholarships, Megan Kett of Dixon, Bridget de Flores of Rio Vista; Maya Ferris of Vacaville; and Trevan de Rosier of Fairfield; and the Jack Hopkins Memorial Scholarship, Cole Jacobson of Dixon.
The scholarship program was named the Donnie and Tootie Huffman Scholarship Program in honor of the founding president Donnie Huffman (Feb. 29, 1940-2023), and his wife, Tootie, the founding treasurer. Donnie died June 17, 2023 after a long battle with cancer. His wife Tootie, continues as a Friends of the Fair volunteer.
The scholarship committee, chaired by Hamel, also includes Tootie Huffman, Kathy Keatley Garvey and Linda Molina, all of Vacaville, and Sue Miracle and Michelle Robinson of Dixon.
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