The winner of the very first Youth Legacy Scholarship was announced Friday.
The scholarship is the result of a partnership between the California Mid-State Fair, the James W. Brabeck Youth Legacy Fund, and the Community Foundation of San Luis Obispo County. It was available to high school sophomores and juniors who planned to participate in the fair’s Junior Livestock Show, Industrial Education Show, Agriculture/Floriculture/Ornamental & Horticulture Program, and/or the Tractor Restoration Project.
Shandon FFA President Isaac Lopez received the $20,000 prize, which he’ll receive over four years of college.
“Tuition, as far as like college goes, has always been in the back of my mind, so it definitely helps to see that not only is the scholarship going to help me with that but just also more opportunities to get some financial aid from this foundation or other community members,” Lopez said.
Lopez raises market lambs for the fair and over the past couple of years has been involved in a program that teaches elementary school kids about farming.
He’ll be a senior in high school this year and hopes to attend either CSU Fresno or Cal Poly and major in agriculture education.
As a requirement for receiving the scholarship, Lopez will act as an ambassador for the Youth Legacy Project, attending meetings and getting to know community members
“I think it’s special because these are the leaders that are actually involved in the agriculture industry here in our county so it’s going to be important to build those relationships with them and meet other new people,” he said.
