Setton Pistachio is giving out thousands of dollars to local students in its second annual Setton Earth Day scholarship.
The Terra Bella pistachio grower and processor announced its expanded scholarship program on Monday.
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Driving the news: After partnering with one school last year, Setton Pistachio expanded its scholarship program to three institutions: Porterville High School, Monache High School and Harmony Magnet Academy.
- Ryan Shearer of Harmony Magnet is the first-place winner, receiving $5,000.
- Fellow Harmony Magnet student Robert Ikeda is the second-place winner, receiving $2,500.
- Tiana Contreras of Harmony Magnet, Gloribel Mendoza of Porterville High School and Cambria Arias of Harmony Magnet are the third-place winners, with each receiving $1,000.
- Five additional students will take home $500 as honorable mentions, with all other students who participated receiving $250.
- Students who participated in the program were asked to create a painting, sculpture, video, clothing piece or other item focusing on sustainability in the Central Valley and were required to use pistachio kernels or shells provided by Setton.
- Setton Farms initially launched its College Education Scholarship Program in 2016 and has awarded over 60 scholarships worth over $130,000 to employees, local community members and students.
What they’re saying: “Our goal is to support students in pursuing their college education, and we’re grateful to the schools and students that participated this year,” said Setton Farms COO Mia Cohen. “We were happily overwhelmed by the extraordinary creativity and originality of the projects submitted by the students, depicting sustainability.”