Stephanie Calestini of Dixon, who was crowned Dixon May Fair queen in 2009, is a recipient of a $2000 scholarship from the Friends of the Dixon May Fair. She plans to  attend Cal Poly this fall. Her ambition: veterinarian.

2011 Scholarship Winners

Eight Solano County youths pursuing an agricultural career will share a total of $12,500 in college scholarships from the Friends of Dixon May Fair.

They will receive their awards on Wednesday, May 25 at the Friends of Dixon May Fair’s ninth annual thank you/appreciation dinner on the Leber Garden Stage area on the Dixon May Fair grounds. The event begins at 5:30.

“This year’s applicants were all outstanding and deserving of scholarships,” said scholarship committee JoAn Giannoni of Dixon and secretary of the Friends.

The all-volunteer organization, headed by Donnie Huffman of Vacaville, sells beverages at the annual fair to obtain monies for the college scholarships; building and grounds improvements; and prizes for the fair’s outstanding award winners.

The $2000 recipients are:
--Stephanie Calestini of Dixon, a first-year scholarship recipient who plans to attend California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo to begin pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. She reigned as the Dixon May Fair queen in 2009.

--Melissa Di Francesco of Vacaville, a four-year recipient who is majoring in neurobiology, physiology and behavior at the University of California, Davis, and plans to receive her doctorate in veterinary medicine

--Charles Hamilton of Rio Vista, a third-year recipient who is attending Cal Poly, majoring in agribusiness management and minoring in crop science

Two Vacaville twins studying at the University of California, Davis will share the $3000 Ester Armstrong Memorial Award. They are Courtney and Valerie Korff, each majoring in animal science and planning to obtain a doctorate in veterinary medicine. The scholarship memorializes fair industry veteran Ester Armstrong of Rockville, a former director of the California Division of Fairs and Expositions who served as interim CEO of the Dixon May Fair for three years, beginning in May 2006. She died in May 2009 after a long struggle with cancer.

The Korff twins are first-year recipients of Friends of Dixon May Fair awards.

Nathaniel Benning of Dixon is the recipient of the $1500 Jack Hopkins Memorial Scholarship award. A second-year recipient of a Friends’ scholarship, he attends American River College and is pursuing a degree in agriculture and industrial technology and welding. Hopkins was a strong supporter of the Dixon May Fair.


The $1000 recipients are:
--Hunter Kett of Dixon, first-year recipient who plans to attend Cal Poly to pursue a degree in agricultural engineering.

--Cheyenne Dana of Rio Vista, a first-year recipient who plans to attend Modesto Junior College to pursue a degree in animal science and veterinary medicine.

Giannoni said the criteria the scholarship committee used to determine our final candidates included: broad personal, civic and academic experience; academic standing; personal commitment and goals; leadership potential; civic accomplishments; and chosen field in the areas of agriculture.” Also, she said, 4-H, FFA or Grange experience is desired, but not mandated.

Other members of the scholarship committee are Tootie Huffman, John Howard and Kathy Keatley Garvey of Vacaville; and Carrie Hamel of Dixon

Applications, due March 1 of every year, are open only to Solano County youths planning a career in an agricultural field. Information is on the Friends website at www.friendsofthefair.org/