The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of $41,000 in college scholarships to eleven exceptional students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California wine grape grower.
“This scholarship program reflects our deep appreciation for the families who are vital to the success of California’s winegrape industry,” said Craig Ledbetter of Vino Farms, Chair of the CAWG Foundation Board of Directors. “Each year, we are inspired by the talent, resilience, and dedication of the students who apply. Their commitment to education and community service is truly remarkable.”
The CAWG Foundation Board carefully selects scholarship recipients who have demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, and community involvement. Applicants are evaluated based on their financial need, scholastic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities, and a compelling personal essay that highlights their individual journey and future goals.
Since its inception in 1998, the CAWG Foundation has awarded $680,500 in scholarships to help students achieve their higher education goals. This support is made possible by the generous contributions of CAWG members and the broader California wine community.
This year, eight four-year scholarships were awarded to students attending either a University of California or California State University campus, three two-year scholarships were awarded to students attending a California community college, and one $1,000 scholarship was awarded to a student through the Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship. Created by the Miller family, the Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship supports Central Coast students who plan to pursue a career in the winegrape industry and are studying viticulture or enology at either Allan Hancock College or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Four-Year University Scholarship Recipients
Karen Abarca Hernandez, Stockton, Health Careers Academy Charter School
Daisy Avina Hernandez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School
Jonalyn Cadaoas, Delano, Cesar E. Chavez High School
Mariano Jaime Duran, Geyserville, Geyserville New Tech Academy
Bishin Mahil, Madera, Liberty High School
Karitina Manual Rios, Santa Rosa, Roseland University Prep
Ella Senkowski, Windsor, Windsor High School
Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipients
Fabiola Covarrubias, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School
Guadalupe Ibarra, Terra Bella, Porterville High School
Kelsey Padilla Lara, Santa Rosa, Piner High School
Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipient
Yasmin Santos Hernandez, Santa Maria, Santa Maria High School
About the Recipients
FOUR-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP
Karen Abarca Hernandez, Stockton, Health Careers Academy Charter School / $2,000
Karen is a dedicated and ambitious student planning to attend UC Davis to study Biology to become a Family Medicine Physician. Karen is deeply committed to her community and has actively volunteered with Spanos Elementary School, the Stockton Symphony, San Joaquin Office of Education, Stockton Scholars, YMCA Summer Camp, and more. Her passion for service is a guiding force in her life and one she plans to carry forward into her career. In addition to her community involvement, Karen is active in her high school and has shown entrepreneurial spirit by starting her own small crochet business. She has excelled academically, taking a rigorous course load that includes AP classes, and remains focused and driven toward achieving her career goals and giving back to her community.
Daisy Avina Hernandez, Calistoga, Calistoga Junior-Senior High School / $8,000
Daisy is an accomplished student who will be the first in her family to attend college. She plans to attend UC Davis, where she will major in Psychology to become an OB-GYN. With a strong desire to give back, Daisy hopes to provide reproductive and maternal healthcare to underserved communities. She has maintained a 4.1 GPA while working part-time, demonstrating her commitment to both academic excellence and personal responsibility. Daisy led her school in earning a prestigious MIT School of Engineering title—one of only eight schools in the nation to receive the recognition. She also played a key role in supporting California State Senate Resolution 106, which officially designates October as Intellectual Property Awareness Month. Daisy is also an active member of her school’s soccer, volleyball, basketball, and softball teams.
Jonalyn Cadaoas, Delano, Cesar E. Chavez High School / $8,000
Jonalyn is a high-achieving student with a strong passion for math and science, which has inspired her to pursue a career in civil engineering. She plans to attend either San Diego State University or Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she will focus on developing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions. With a long-term goal of starting an engineering firm, Jonalyn is eager to make a lasting impact in her field. Her Filipino heritage is a meaningful part of her identity, and she has embraced opportunities to celebrate and share her culture through her involvement in the United Filipino Organization, where she has taken on leadership roles, participated in cultural dances, and helped organize community events. Jonalyn is also active in the National Honor Society and Associated Student Body, and has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, maintaining a GPA above 4.0 and ranking in the top 10% of her class.
Mariano Jaime Duran, Geyserville, Geyserville New Tech Academy / $2,000
Mariano is a first-generation college student who plans to attend Sonoma State University to study accounting, with the goal of becoming an accountant. The son of immigrants who were unable to complete their education, Mariano is proud to be the first in his family to pursue a four-year degree. He is a strong student, ranking near the top of his class, and is known for his leadership and commitment both in and out of the classroom. Mariano is actively involved in his community and takes great pride in giving back through volunteer service. His extracurricular involvement includes ag mechanics, the Upward Bound program for first-generation and low-income students, Mecha Club, Varsity soccer, and more.
Bishin Mahil, Madera, Liberty High School / $4,000
Bishin is a dedicated and forward-thinking student who plans to attend Fresno State University to study Entrepreneurial Business, with the goal of creating and expanding businesses within the agricultural industry. Agriculture has always been a part of Bishin’s life, and he has seen firsthand the hard work and commitment required to maintain and grow a successful crop. He is actively involved in the California Scholarship Federation, the Liberty High Golf Club, and the Nanaksar Gurdwara, where he volunteers weekly to give back to his community. Bishin hopes to apply his business education to manage farming operations and contribute toimportant decisions around harvesting and logistics. His passion for agriculture and entrepreneurship is matched by a strong sense of service and community.
Karitina Manual Rios, Santa Rosa, Roseland University Prep / $2,000
Karitina is a compassionate and determined student who plans to attend Sonoma State University to study Psychology, with the goal of becoming a Child Psychologist. As a first-generation college student, she deeply values the importance of education, a value instilled in her by her family. After experiencing the loss of her father at a young age and receiving support from school counselors, Karitina was inspired to pursue a career where she could provide the same kind of help to children navigating difficult situations. That desire to give back and support others is what motivates her. In addition to excelling academically, Karitina is an active member of several school and community organizations, demonstrating both leadership and a strong commitment to service.
Ella Senkowski, Windsor, Windsor High School / $8,000
Ella is a driven and service-oriented student who will attend the University of California, Los Angeles, where she plans to study Business Economics with the goal of becoming a Financial Planner or Analyst. Ella balances a rigorous academic schedule with a wide range of extracurricular and work experiences. She is active in ballet, Girl Scouts, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Bring Change to Mind, Best Buddies, and more. In addition to her volunteer commitments, she holds multiple part-time jobs teaching swim lessons and dance classes and has gained professional experience through an accounting internship. Through these diverse roles, Ella has developed a strong sense of responsibility, leadership, and purpose. Her experiences have reinforced her passion for mentorship and advocacy, and she looks forward to continuing to make a meaningful impact as a leader in her community.
TWO-YEAR SCHOLARSHIP/ $2,000 EACH
Fabiola Covarrubias, Kelseyville, Kelseyville High School
Fabiola is a first-generation college student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and academic achievement throughout her time at Kelseyville High School. She has been actively involved in AVID, Associated Student Body, cheerleading, and FFA. Fabiola was one of just eleven students selected to join K-CORPS, a specialized search and rescue team that partners with the local sheriff’s office—an opportunity that reflects her deep sense of service and civic responsibility. In addition to her school involvement, Fabiola works as a cashier at Lakeport Rainbow Ag, where she remains connected to the agricultural community. She plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior College to study Allied Health and pursue a career as a radiology or ultrasound technician. With a strong desire to help others, Fabiola looks forward to making a meaningful impact in the medical field and her community.
Guadalupe Ibarra, Terra Bella, Porterville High School
Guadalupe is a first-generation college student and the valedictorian of her graduating class at Porterville High School. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to academic excellence and a deep dedication to serving her community. Guadalupe is actively involved in a range of extracurricular activities, including the Red Cross Club, HOSA, and the California Scholarship Federation. She has completed over 100 hours of community service, participating in food distribution efforts, blood drives, Relay for Life, and other activities that reflect her passion for helping others. Having grown up working alongside her parents in the agricultural fields, Guadalupe has witnessed firsthand the social and economic challenges faced by her community. These experiences have shaped her goal of becoming a registered nurse or nurse practitioner. She plans to attend Porterville College to study nursing.
Kelsey Padilla Lara, Santa Rosa, Piner High School
Kelsey is a driven and community-minded student who will be the first in her family to attend college. She is graduating from Piner High School a year early with an above 4.0 GPA and is already enrolled in college courses, demonstrating her strong motivation and academic excellence. Kelsey plans to attend Santa Rosa Junior Collegeto study nursing, to become a registered nurse, and eventually a nurse practitioner. She has a deep desire to create positive change in her community and has volunteered with organizations such as the Redwood Empire Food Bank, the Sonoma County Children’s Museum, and the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), where she developed skills in disaster preparedness. Kelsey’s academic achievements and dedication to service reflect her readiness to make a meaningful impact in the healthcare field.
ROBERT MILLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP / $1,000 EACH
Yasmin Santos Hernandez, Santa Maria, Santa Maria High School
Yasmin is a dedicated student with a deep passion for the wine industry and will attend Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, majoring in Viticulture and Enology. Her goal is to build a career in wine production. In addition to spending summers working alongside her parents in the vineyards, Yasmin also holds a part-time job during the school year—demonstrating both a strong work ethic and excellent time management skills. She is actively involved in her school’s FFA program, where her experiences have further fueled her interest in the wine industry. A first-generation college student, Yasmin has received numerous academic honors and is committed to continuing her success in higher education.
About the California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation
The CAWG Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. For more information, visit www.cawgfoundation.org.
