July 18 Vallejo/Vacaville Arts and Entertainment Source: Faces and Places

Friends of the Fair Award $26,000 in Ag Scholarships

Nine Solano County residents majoring in an agricultural field will share $26,000 toward their college educations, thanks to the Donnie and Tootie Huffman Scholarship Program of the Friends of the Dixon May Fair.

The  scholarship program is named for the Vacaville couple who set up the program. It memorializes founding president Donnie Huffman (1940-2023), who died June 17, 2023 of cancer,  and honors his wife, Claudia (Tootie), the founding treasurer, who continues as a  scholarship committee judge.

Since 2000, the Friends of the Dixon May Fair has awarded a total of $274,750 to Solano County residents majoring in agriculture, announced Carrie Hamel of Dixon, the scholarship chair.

For the second consecutive year, Sam Esperson, a 2022 graduate of Rio Vista High School and a student at California Polytechnic University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo, won the $5000 Donnie Huffman Memorial Scholarship, the highest award the program offers. He is majoring in agricultural systems management.

Massimo Menicou of Vacaville, a 2024 graduate of Vacaville High School won the $4000 JoAn Giannoni Award. Natalie Victorine of Dixon, a graduate of Dixon High School and a student at Cal Poly, won the $3500 Ester Armstrong Memorial Award. Elena Mendonsa of Vacaville, a 2024 graduate of Vacaville Christian High School, won the $3000 Joe Gates Memorial Scholarship.

Others winning $3000 scholarships in the university category:

• Megan Kett, a 2021 graduate of Dixon High School and a student at Oklahoma University
• Bridget de Flores, a 2023 graduate of Rio Vista High School, and a student at Chico State University
• Maya Ferris, a 2024 graduate of Vacaville High School with plans to attend Cal Poly
• Trevan de Rosier, a 2024 graduate of Angelo Rodriguez High School, Fairfield, enrolled at UC Davis.

In the community college category, Cole Jacobson, a 2024 graduate of Dixon High School and an incoming student at Woodland Community College, won the $1500 Jack Hopkins Memorial Scholarship.

Soroptimist of Benicia held annual Awards and Installation Dinner

Soroptimist International of Benicia is part of a global volunteer organization, Soroptimist International of the Americas, which provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.

During their annual Awards and Installation Dinner, the organization celebrated Scholarship recipients, the Live Your Dream Award recipient, and the Ruby Award winner.

Scholarships were given to three students at Benicia High School—Elizabeth Beauparlant, Kendall Brazeal Ross and Daniel Lee. At Liberty High two students, Aaliyah Blackmon and Ahmari Ferguson, were awarded scholarships.

The Live Your Dream Award, given to women who provide the primary financial support for their families, was awarded to Nizet Angulo. This award gives women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

The Ruby Award, honoring a non-Soroptimist woman who inspires and encourages other women, was given to Mary Hand of Benicia Magazine. Mary received an oversized ruby “gem” for her help with club projects.

Additional accolades included Michele Mummey receiving a Fellowship Award, Sissy Coffeen as the recipient of a Laurel Society Award and Devon O’Shea honored with Soroptimist of the Year.

The new board for the coming year was installed by Benicia’s own, Bobbi Enderlin, President of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Patty Gavin was installed as President, along with Vice Presidents-Elect Devon O’Shea and Robin Silver, Vice President Sissy Coffeen, Treasurers Bonnie Silveria and Ginny Fontaine, Secretary Libbey McKendry, and first and second year Directors Heather McLaughlin and Helen Kennedy-Lazar.

Originally Published: July 16, 2024 at 4:06 p.m.