The California Rodeo Salinas is proud to recognize seven outstanding scholarship recipients for 2026. This program was developed with Hartnell College in 1986 and recently transitioned to the Community Foundation for Monterey County. The Rodeo is proud to assist these students, who eagerly pursue educational opportunities, with most planning to return to this community and contribute in the future. The Rodeo extends special thanks to Esther Figueroa and the Community Foundation for Monterey County and the California Rodeo Salinas’ Scholarship Advisory Committee for helping select this year’s impressive group of students.
“Our committee received a record number of applications this year, making the selection process more competitive than ever,” said Kelly McCarthy Sutherland, Chair of the California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship Advisory Committee. “Each student demonstrated incredible resilience, leadership, work ethic, and dedication to their future goals. We are proud to support these outstanding students and invest in the positive impact they will make in our communities.”
Recipients include Laura Elizabeth Hodges, a USC occupational therapy student and longtime Rodeo volunteer; Keegan Marie Naval, a nursing student balancing school, work, motherhood, and extensive volunteer service; and Brayden Michael McVay, a Fresno State Ag Business major active in FFA, community service, and Rodeo maintenance projects.
Also honored are Erick Joshua Oviedo Terrazas, a Hartnell civil engineering student balancing rigorous STEM coursework with multiple jobs while supporting his family; Citlalli Garcia, a nursing student passionate about improving healthcare access for underserved communities; Jake Patrick McTighe, a Cal Poly accounting student and Rodeo Banking Committee volunteer with more than 400 hours of community service; and Bailey Ryan Casarez, an aspiring animal science major whose leadership in FFA and dedication to cattle care impressed the scholarship committee.
The California Rodeo Salinas congratulates all seven recipients and looks forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to have on their communities and careers.
To learn more about the California Rodeo Salinas’ scholarship program and read full biographies for each recipient, visit https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/community/schol...
Photo by Mag One Media. Left to right: Rodeo President Bob Eggers, Rodeo Chair of the California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship Advisory Committee Kelly McCarthy Sutherland, Jackie Marquez with CFMC, Jake Patrick McTighe, Brayden Michael McVay, Erick Joshua Oviedo Terrazas, Keegan Marie Naval, Citlalli Garcia, Bailey Ryan Casarez, Catherine Hodges accepting for Laura Elizabeth Hodges, and Esther Figueroa with CFMC.
ABOUT CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS
The 116th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 16-19, 2026. As a not-for-profit organization, the California Rodeo Association is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life while fostering community involvement and cultural heritage. The Association supports local nonprofits and community groups through its annual Rodeo and year-round operations at the Salinas Sports Complex. In 2025, these efforts generated over $856,000 for local organizations.
For more information, visit www.CARodeo.com or contact the Rodeo Office at (831) 775-3100.
