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GONZALES — Samantha Santos from the Gonzales High School FFA is not only the recipient of Monterey County Fair’s 2017 Heritage Scholarship, but she is also raising the hog that will be auctioned off to benefit youth in the community by promoting scholarship opportunities such as hers, as well as the capital campaign to improve the barns, grounds and event center venues at the Fair.
Santos’ Heritage Hog will be auctioned off Sept. 2, during the Fair’s run, Aug. 31 through Sept. 4.
If you cannot attend the Heritage Hog Auction, the Monterey County Heritage Foundation has forms available so you can donate to show your support for the auction. Forms are due at the Fair office no later than Aug. 30.
Santos was born and raised in the Salinas Valley, has lived in Gonzales her whole life, will be a senior at Gonzales High School this coming school year, and has been an active Future Farmers of America (FFA) member since her freshman year.
Through her high school FFA experience, she has participated in public speaking contests, has held leadership roles above her local level, attended various leadership conferences, and raised livestock. Her adviser throughout her FFA endeavors has been Eric Morasca.
In fact, FFA has played such an important role in Santos’ life that she plans to attend UC Davis and major in Agriculture Business Marketing with a minor in Political Science.
Santos has learned the importance of being directly involved in the agricultural industry and the significant difference it can make on one’s life. She believes in the future of agriculture and one day hopes to give back to her community and advocate for agriculture.
Santos was taught the value of ambition and hard work by her parents, who instilled in her to never give up on anything, despite the difficult circumstances by encouraging her to pursue anything she believes in and always supporting her.
