2022 Scholarship WinnersCalifornia Women for Agriculture - Central Valley Chapter
Isabella Quintana
I’m Isabella Quintana, a recent Liberty High School graduate who is pursuing to become an equine veterinarian. I am a well-rounded student who devotes her time to her academics and to helping her community. I have greatly dedicated my time to helping many institutions, such as St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, Bowe’s Animal Rescue, and Madera Ranchos Senior Center. I have also been a part of many organizations within my school, including Key Club, the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Through my extensive volunteer work at animal shelters, the knowledge and skills gained in the Veterinarian Science Team, and the science courses I have taken, I have gained a real sense of what working within the veterinarian field entails. With my strong affinity and passion for animals’ well-being, I hope to positively contribute to veterinarian medicine.
Cristal Hernandez
My name is Cristal and I am the daughter of Jose and Marisol Hernández. I am finishing my studies at Fresno State and will graduate soon with a degree in Plant science. My passion for agriculture has opened so many doors for me. I am grateful to say that there are many people who have helped me through this difficult situations. My goal for the future is to be a part of the chain that provides for people. I am able to accomplish that working in Ag!
Katrina Suarez
Katrina Suarez is a junior at California State University, Fresno majoring in Pre-Veterinarian Science. Katrina found her spark as a member of Fresno County 4-H program by participating in various livestock projects. She has lived in the Central Valley all her life and is excited to share her passion for livestock care to fellow 4-Hers. During her time in high school, she served as President of her local 4-H club and competed in the national Horse Judging competitions in Colorado, placing California 4th overall. Katrina embraced homeschooling by consecutively attending Hallmark Charter, Sanger High School to participate in FFA and Drama, and Reedley College to jump start her college experience. Her goal is to become a large and small animal veterinarian completing her schooling out of state. She continues to participate in 4-H as project leader for various projects, sharing her knowledge with younger 4-Hers.
Ashleigh Sorensen
Ashleigh Sorensen is a third-year student at California State University Fresno majoring in Agricultural Business. Ashleigh’s passion for agriculture stemmed from being raised in a farming family in Sanger and from being involved in her high school’s FFA chapter. While at Fresno State, Ashleigh has been very active in her academics and in leadership opportunities. Ashleigh is a scholar in the Smittcamp Family Honors Program, dedicated to academic excellence and community involvement. Also, she was recently accepted into the Jordan College Honors Research Program. Ashleigh has been actively involved in the Agricultural Business Club and the JCAST Leadership Council. Also, she served as the ASI Senator for the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology for the 2021-2022 school year. Ashleigh is interested in pursuing agricultural accounting or finance as a career. Ashleigh is excited for what her last year of college has in store for her.
Margaret Fernando
My name is Margaret Fernando, and I am from Ames, Iowa. I studied chemistry at Iowa State University, and the lab classes I took during my undergraduate education encouraged my decision to apply for graduate school in a field related to agriculture and environmental science. I wanted to be part of a program that focused on environmental conservation as well as the agricultural demands of our growing population. My graduate program research project with Dr. Lauren Hale, a soil microbiologist, and Dr. Anil Shrestha, a weed scientist, aims to determine how cover crops can be managed efficiently for a table grape vineyard in a semi-arid climate. After I finish my master’s degree at Fresno State, I am hoping to continue my education by pursuing a PhD in a field related to soil health and agroecology.
Brendan Black
I am a 22 year old Agriculture Education student at Fresno State. I am also minoring in Mass Communication Journalism with the hopes to maintain my agriculture education podcast, Talk Ag To Me, on the side while I teach high school agriculture classes. I will be finishing my undergraduate at the end of the Fall 2022 semester and beginning Fresno State’s Single Subject Credential Program in the Spring of 2023. My goals are to inspire students to push their limits and grow with skills they never imagined they would have, and also influence other agriculture teachers and agriculture education students to challenge themselves and find new ways to innovate the agriculture classroom. I currently spend much of my time working with high school agriculture students through coaching and mentoring for a variety of speaking teams, and I look forward to making even more of an impact on the lives of these students and my community as an agriculture teacher and communicator.
Omar Abulghanam
I transferred from Clovis Community College to Fresno State University as a Business student in the fall of 2020. Having limited agricultural science knowledge, I was intimidated by the University’s huge farmland and advanced facilities. However, the Plant Science department at Fresno State welcomed me in with open arms and have supported me immensely through all my endeavors. It is here where I met my wonderful girlfriend Paola Vidales Villicana who is also a plant science student. We both got involved in the Plant Science Club and Irrigation Club, augmenting our agricultural studies, and connecting with the Central Valley community. She also introduced me to Marlene Miyasaki who motivates me every single day through her relentless work ethic and motherly care. Marlene believed in me before I ever believed in myself, and now I truly owe this high honor to her. My goal is to enroll in the Master’s program at the Plant Science Department at Fresno State in the Spring of 2023, studying soil microbiology; where I will continue to pester Marlene throughout the day in her office.
Jacqueline Taylor
My name is Jacqueline Taylor. I am currently a third-generation farmer from Sanger, CA. I am also a graduate student at Fresno State enrolled in both the Single Subject- Agriculture Credential Program and the Masters of Science- Agricultural Science program in the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. My ultimate goal is to finish the SS- Ag Credential and M.S in Agricultural Sciences by May of 2023 and officially become an Agricultural Education Teacher in California. I am dedicated to teaching the next generation of agriculturalists, as they are our country’s future. My hope is that the experiences I have gained throughout college will prepare me to be the best agriculture teacher that I can be, not only for my benefit, but those who I plan to educate in the future. I look forward to what the future holds for Ms. Taylor, future Ag Teacher and FFA advisor.
Abby Kelley
Abby Kelley is a sophomore at CSU-Fresno. She is studying Agriculture Education – Agriculture Communications. She was a 10 year 4-H member, and 4-year FFA member. Her love for 4-H has influenced her decision to study in Agriculture Education and be a 4-H leader in the 2022-2023 year. Outside of education and 4-H, Abby loves archery and goes to tournaments quite often throughout the year. Abby does her best to work hard in anything she does whether she is good at it or not. She completed her Associates in Agricultural Plant Science during her high school years, as well as continuing to raise and breed poultry and pygmy goats. She loves Agriculture and can’t want to continue learning about the industry.
