The California Rodeo Salinas is excited to announce that five students earned scholarships through two programs this year. The California Rodeo Association has been passionate about supporting youth education since 1986 when a scholarship program was established with Hartnell College. Students who are attending or graduating from Hartnell applied for that scholarship. The newest scholarship program allowed students who are California Rodeo Salinas Committee Members or related to Committee Members to apply through the Community Foundation for Monterey County, and those students will use the scholarship money to attend any college or other post high school education program, including trade school. The Hartnell College program awarded three scholarships in varying amounts this year to:
Melissa Barron Arredondo
Karina Hernandez
Laura V. Ruiz
The Community Foundation for Monterey County scholarship program awarded two scholarships to:
Melanie Morales
Brooke Toomey
Read full biographies of the students below:
Melissa Barron Arredondo was awarded a California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship via the Hartnell College program. Melissa is an 18 year old graduate of North Salinas High School from Salinas, CA. She plans to attend a four year university to study Business Administration and eventually work side by side with her Dad and one day open her own business. Melissa sees this scholarship is an opportunity for her to make a change in our community and country and makes her want to become a better person in all aspects of her life.
Karina Hernandez was awarded a California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship via the Hartnell College program. Karina is a 20 year old Salinas High School graduate who attended Hartnell College and will attend the University of California at Davis starting in the fall of 2021. Karina plans to attend medical school after graduating from Davis. She is majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behaviors and aspires to serve her community as a physician. Karina is honored to receive this scholarship and it will ease her mind a bit as she pursues her future education.
Laura V. Ruiz was awarded a California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship via the Hartnell College program. Laura is a 20 year old graduate of Alisal High School from Salinas, CA. She will attend Fresno State University this fall with plans to work in agriculture production or in the seed industry to open a path for her to become a plant breeder. This scholarship will help to pay for her tuition, taking a weight off her and her parents’ shoulders, while allowing her to pursue her future as an agriculture major.
Melanie Morales was awarded a California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship via the Community Foundation for Monterey County program. Melanie is a 28 year old Alisal High School graduate from Salinas, CA. She will be attending San Jose State University and hopes to eventually work in an inpatient unit at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital as a Registered Nurse. This scholarship fivers her the opportunity to continue to go to school full-time to finish her nursing degree while working and still being able to help in the community either at the Rodeo or with other organizations related to healthcare.
Brooke Toomey was awarded a California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship via the Community Foundation for Monterey County program. Brooke is an 18 year old Salinas High Graduate who grew up in Salinas, CA. This fall she is moving to New York City to attend Columbia University to pursue film and media studies. She hopes to one day become a director and/or cinematographer. This scholarship is something Brooke is very thankful for, especially after a very challenging year, as it allows her to take the next steps in her life. It’s rewarding to see the tremendous effort she has put forth into her education, community and herself come to fruition.
Donations to the Community Foundation scholarship fund are welcomed and not limited to cash; examples might include coin collections, vehicles or property. Visit https://www.cfmco.org/give-now/?fund=12144 to donate.
Scholarship Recipients (L to R): Laura V. Ruiz, Melissa Barron, Karina Hernandez and Brooke Toomey. Melanie Morales was unable to attend.
About California Rodeo Salinas
The California Rodeo Salinas will take place September 23-26, 2021. The California Rodeo Association is a not-for-profit organization that strives to preserve and promote the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the West. We support the community and other non-profit organizations through the staging of the annual California Rodeo Salinas and other year round operations of the Salinas Sports Complex. Through donation of our facility, vending and fundraising opportunities during Rodeo and other events, the California Rodeo Association returns almost $500,000 annually to local non-profits. For more information about the California Rodeo Salinas, log on to www.CARodeo.com or call the California Rodeo Office at 831-775.3100. ‘Like’ the California Rodeo on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CARodeoSalinas or follow us on twitter @CaliforniaRodeo for updates, photos and more.