The Monterey County Fair Heritage Foundation is pleased to announce the 2024 Heritage Animal Exhibitor, and recipient of a $2,500 Scholarship, is Aleena Chavez. She will be graduating from Everett Alvarez High School in Salinas, California in 2025 and plans to pursue her goal of becoming a veterinarian or agriculture teacher through her studies.
Chavez has been mentored by her FFA advisors and hopes to encourage more women to pursue studies in non-traditional roles in the agriculture industry, such as mechanics. She has earned her California FFA State Degree, and in her spare time enjoys dancing with the NCA Dance Studio in Salinas. Her teachers have described her as “well rounded student ”, and as being “outgoing and personable”. Chavez is also very passionate about being a member of Everett Alvarez FFA, and representing the organization whenever possible. Chavez describes herself as being helpful to others, and is dedicated to serving her community as a volunteer whenever needed and mentoring younger students.
Encouraged by her mother, Chavez challenges herself to “step out of her comfort zone” when the opportunity presents itself. Chavez is in the top third of her graduating class of nearly 500 students, and has shown dedication to her outstanding academics. All proceeds from the sale of the animal will help benefit our youth in the community by promoting scholarship opportunities, agricultural awareness, and will help with improvements to the barns, grounds, and event center venues at the Monterey County Fair.
