Mark Suren Melkonian Memorial Scholarship

$1,000
1 winner$1,000
In Review
Application Deadline
Mar 6, 2024
Winners Announced
Apr 6, 2024
Education Level
High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Eligibility Requirements
Education Level:
High school senior
State:
California
Field of Interest:
Agriculture
Education Level:
State:
Field of Interest:
High school senior
California
Agriculture

The agriculture sector is critical to the functioning of society, not only providing food but also textile materials and many jobs.

Unfortunately, agriculture often goes underappreciated and students typically aren’t encouraged to pursue the field. Over 10% of US employment comes from the agriculture sector, making it a large and promising industry.

This scholarship aims to honor Mark Suren Melkonian’s legacy by supporting students in California who are interested in the agriculture field. This scholarship aims to honor Mark Suren Melkonian’s legacy by supporting students in California who are interested in agriculture, where Mark dedicated his professional life as a well respected member of the industry, and will be a positive role model in the Sanger area to continue Mark’s legacy. 

Any high school senior in California who is interested in agriculture may apply, but Sanger High School students, especially those involved in sports or other affiliated extracurricular activities such as 4-H club, or rodeo competition experience are preferred.

To apply, tell us why you’ve chosen to pursue agriculture, and if applicable, about your community and extracurricular involvement in the Sanger Area and the impact it has had on you and your community. 

Selection Criteria:
Ambition, Need, Boldest Bold.org Profile
Published December 1, 2023
$1,000
1 winner$1,000
In Review
Application Deadline
Mar 6, 2024
Winners Announced
Apr 6, 2024
Education Level
High School
Recent Bold.org scholarship winners
Essay Topic

Explain why you have chosen agriculture as your career path.

400–600 words

Winners and Finalists

Winning Application

Hercules Gonsalves
Sanger HighSanger, CA
Sanger 4H and FFA have been big shaping factors in my life. My involvement in these clubs dates back to when I was in just third grade. I started exhibiting dairy goats with my friends just for the fun of it while the Sanger 4H club was just starting to form. I started to get more involved over time, we started doing community service at the veteran's hospital, decorating for Christmas time to make the mourning environment a little more festive and fun. Along with that, a smaller group of club members including myself would put together baskets for the veterans which included necessities such as soap, clothing, entertainment, and more. This is when I started to learn that 4H and FFA don't consist of just farming, but so much more. My involvement stayed strong, I started showing more animals, after dairy goats I raised a hog, a Boer goat, and a chicken. I achieved first place in showmanship and third place at Round Robin with my chicken. I participated in animal judging competitions, public speaking competitions and more. Once I was promoted from 4H to FFA, it opened my eyes to careers in agriculture. I have been lucky enough to be a part of the POM Wonderful agricultural mechanics pathway at Sanger High school. This pathway is the best choice I have made academically because I have learned that there is a whole mechanical aspect to agriculture. Ever since I was younger, I have always been fascinated by how things are made and how things function within each other. Within this pathway, we were taught numerous subjects such as fabrication, welding, learning how an engine works, and electrical. I've enjoyed being a part of this pathway and learning so many trades that not everyone has the option to do in high school, I've learned so much that I've decided to choose a major in college through the agricultural field. I want to go into agricultural system technology, which is based on revolutionizing the mechanical aspect of agriculture. One experience that has further solidified my decision is taking a trip to the World Ag Expo. Every year our pathway has the opportunity to take a trip and spend the day there. A specific exhibit that caught my eye was the self-driving tractors. It was interesting learning about how the self-propelled tractors know where they are and when to perform specific functions. I want to eventually be the one manufacturing and working on these new-age technologies such as self-driving tractors.

FAQ

When is the scholarship application deadline?

The application deadline is Mar 6, 2024. Winners will be announced on Apr 6, 2024.

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