The World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp Inc. "We Believe in Growing" scholarship winners were announced today and will be presented with their awards during World Ag Expo's Media Day on February 13, 2012. The graduating seniors, Miranda Medrano of Wasco, and Jace Tarbell of Visalia, will each receive a $2,500 scholarship to be renewed up to four years, totaling $10,000 per student. "Giving back to Valley communities by assisting agricultural students has been an important goal for E.M. Tharp," said Vester East, E.M. Tharp, Inc. "We are proud to be a part of the program and even in these economic times, E.M. Tharp is moving forward with our promise to students." Both students plan to study animal science and pre-veterinary medicine with the goal of becoming large animal veterinarians. Miranda Medrano, a senior from Wasco, plans to attend Cornell University in the fall of this year. Medrano is involved in the Academic Decathlon, tennis, softball, math and science clubs and plays piano. She is also involved in the Shafter Children's Summer Theater and Relay for Life. She has served as president of her FFA chapter and secretary for her FFA region. Jace Tarbell, a senior at Golden West High School, has applied to both California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and Kansas State University. Tarbell is active in FFA and served as his chapter's Publicity Commissioner. He has also participated in the citrus and dairy products judging teams and has a market hog enterprise. His sports interests include competitive swimming and participated on the Golden West High School and Visalia Buccaneers swim teams. Applications were accepted from 35 graduating seniors from Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties. 2.06.2012