The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation has awarded $30,000 in college scholarships to 10 students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California wine grape grower.

“We are honored to provide scholarships to these incredibly deserving and talented students, many of whom have overcome challenges in their lives,” said J.R. Shannon, the Foundation’s chairperson.

Each year, the Foundation board selects a minimum of seven recipients from high schools in California. The selection is based on scholastic ability, financial need, community involvement, leadership, and a 500-word essay.

The Foundation has awarded $403,000 in scholarships since its inception about 20 years ago. Funds are raised through donations from CAWG members and the California wine community.

The 2017 scholarship recipients include:

Sandy Garcia, King City, King City High School; and Guadalupe Hernandez, Terra Bella, Porterville High School - four-year university scholarship recipients - $8,000 per student;

Carolina Ramirez Moreno, Arvin, Arvin High School; and Juan Toscano, Napa, Napa High School - four-year university scholarship recipients - $2,000 each;

Damaso Anaya, Parlier, Parlier High School; Jacob Crocker, Plymouth, Amador High School; Alvaro De Jesus, Napa, Napa High School; and Julianna Lorente, Soledad, Soledad High School - two-year community college scholarship recipients - $2,000 each; and

Jocelyn Alvarez Arredondo, Santa Maria, Santa Maria High School; and Wyatt DeBusk, Paso Robles, Atascadero High School - Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipients - $1,000 each.

www.cawgfoundation.org