Over $1 Million in Scholarship Funds Awarded from the Tree Fruit Industry

The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) awarded 316 scholarship recipients to students this year. Of the 316 scholarships, 206 were awarded to renewing students, and 110 new students were welcomed to the WAEF family. These scholarships represent over $1 million sponsored by the tree fruit industry through various fundraisers, scholarships in memory of industry leaders and friends, and annual donations. To be eligible for a WAEF scholarship, students must submit one of our two scholarship applications:

Universal for students raised in families with direct ties to Washington’s tree fruit industry or students interested in a Washington tree fruit career pathway; and Vocational/Technical for Washington State high school seniors or current college students on a pathway that aligns with potential work in the tree fruit industry.

Every WAEF scholarship recipient receives student support services to ensure their success through the Beyond the Scholarship Program. This includes workshops led by WAEF volunteers, virtual mock interviews, guided resume sessions, facilitated monthly sessions focused on various topics, personalized quarterly/semester care packages, and many more perks. WAEF delivers a successful program with a 90% retention rate for scholarship renewal awards. Additionally, our WAEF students complete their degrees within four years or less at a rate of 86%, and 79% of WAEF scholarship recipients are 1st generation college students.

Chelan County Scholarship Recipients

• Alayna Groce, Cashmere, is the recipient of the FFA Apple Judging First Place Award Scholarship. Groce is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Andy Groce and Jenni Groce.

• Alejandra Gil-Camacho, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. Gil-Camacho is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Juan Gil-Lopez and Maria de Los Angeles Camacho.

• Angel Nolasco, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Gerri Whiteaker Memorial/Antles Pollen Supplies, Inc. Scholarship, and the Wilbur Ellis Scholarship. Nolasco is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the son of Angel Nolasco-Flores and Lilia Oropeza.

• Cameron Phillips, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Northwest Wholesale Incorporated Scholarship, the Valent USA Tree Fruit Scholarship, and the Washington State Tree Fruit Association Scholarship. Phillips is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Mike Phillips and Kay Phillips.

• Colby Musser, Monitor, is the recipient of the Van Doren Sales Vocational Scholarship. Musser is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the son 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 son of Late Nick Brunner and Jennifer Brunner.

• Elle Spears, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Northwest Nursery Improvement Institute Scholarship. Spears is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Marc Spears and Dawn Spears.

• Juan Martinez Nieto, Dryden, is the recipient of the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship. Martinez Nieto is a graduate of Cascade High School and the son of Juan Martinez and Norma Nieto.

• Kimberly Dodson, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Hans van Someren Greve Scholarship. Dodson is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Jonathan Dodson and Gemma Dodson.

• Lesly Vejar, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Nordic Scholarship. Vejar is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Oscar Rojas and Sarai Garcia.

• Oscar Oropeza, Cashmere, is the recipient of the CCM Scholarship. Oropeza is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the son of Norberto Oropeza and Lady Oropeza.

• Teague Duncan, Peshastin, is the recipient of the Taylor Orchards Scholarship and the Tree Top, Inc. Scholarship. Duncan is a graduate of Cascade High School and the son of Ryan Duncan and Kami Duncan.

• Yasleni Mejia, Cashmere, is the recipient of the Dalton & Pamela Thomas Scholarship. Mejia is a graduate of Cashmere High School and the daughter of Javier Mejia and Evangelina Naranjo.