The Wine Society of Texas Announces 2019 Scholarship Grant Recipients
Midland, Texas (19 August 2019) - The Wine Society of Texas (WST), a 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization, is proud to announce that it will be awarding grants totaling $10,000 in support of four individuals. These individuals are: (a) attending institutions in the State of Texas(b) studying viticulture and oenology, (c) pursuing winery internships in Texas, (d) involved with Texas winemaking or field studies / wine education, or (e) involved in promoting the education of grape growing and wine making in the State of Texas.
This scholarship assistance program is consistent with the founding ideas of WST and its continued mission to enhance the appreciation of wines, foster the knowledge of oenology and viticulture, support charitable activities, and educate wine consumers throughout the State of Texas. The funding for the WST Scholarship Grant Program is provided through charitable donations, local WST Chapter fund raising events, and annual statewide wine events.
Following is a summary of this year’s award recipients:
$3,800 James F. Whitley Founder’s Grant is awarded to Madison Hawkins.
“Ms. Hawkins is a senior at Texas A&M majoring in Agriculture Economics and a
minor in Horticulture/Enology. Her long term goal is to own her own vineyard/event venue near the Lubbock area. Ms. Hawkins was a 2017 WST Jim Evans, Winemaker Grant and a 2018 James F. Whitley Founder’s Grant recipient. “
$3,000 Russell Kane Grant is awarded to Tiffany Brooke Farrell.
Ms. Farrell will begin pursuing a winemaking certificate from Texas Tech University this upcoming fall. She has a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Microbiology from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Master of Science in Hydrologic Sciences from Boise State. She’s currently winemaker/outside sales manager for Haak Vineyards and Winery. She wants to continue as a passionate Texas Winemaker and be recognized as a go to professional in the field.
$2,000 Paul and Merill Bonarrigo Grant is awarded to Emily Talley
Ms.Talley is currently pursuing a degree in Plant and Soil Science- Viticulture & Enology at Texas Tech University. She has an undergraduate degree in International Business and a Master’s Degree in the Science of Accounting. Her long term goal is to play a major role in turning family owned land into a functional vineyard with up to 10 acres of grape vines.
$1,200 Les Constable Memorial Grant awarded to Sarah Timmons
As a working mom, Mrs. Timmons is working to complete her graduate degree in Viticulture and Wine Tourism/Marketing at Texas Tech. She currently holds an undergraduate degree in English with a minor in Horticulture from Texas Tech. Upon graduation, her goal is to work alongside family members at their family-owned vineyard in Estacado, Texas, known for their award-winning Primitivo grapes, and to continue growing their new High Plains winery, Adelphos Cellars.
This is the seventeenth year that the WST has provided grant assistance through the Scholarship Grant Program providing over $87,000 in total. “We are again excited about the number and quality of the applications we received this year. This demonstrates the continued passion that students have to venture into the Texas wine industry and helping in its growth and evolution. Therefore, The Wine Society is pleased to continue its long tradition of providing meaningful scholarships to these worthy individuals. This is our way of “going local” to support Texas talent and invest in the future of the Texas wine industry.” said Ms. Shirley Choate, State President of the WST.