2025 Date Festival Scholarship winners accept award
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - High school seniors from across Riverside County gathered to accept their $2,000 scholarships awarded at the Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival.
12 outstanding high school seniors from Riverside County have been awarded $2,000 each, totaling $24,000 in scholarships. The students were recognized during the Fair & Date Fest, celebrating their hard work and dedication to their academic pursuits.
“We are incredibly proud of these talented students, whose dedication to their communities and excellence in academics are what make Riverside County such a remarkable place,” said Riverside County Fourth District Supervisor Manuel Perez. “The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival has been a cornerstone of our region for over 75 years, and it’s inspiring to see the next generation of leaders making a positive impact on the future of our communities.”
The scholarship program, made possible through the generous support of Butler Amusements and Pickering Events, continues the Fair & Date Fest's commitment to supporting local students and fostering higher education opportunities in the region.
“Each year, we continue to be inspired by the talent and promise of our county’s youth,” said Date Festival Scholarship Coordinator Dawn Pickering. “As a lifetime educator, it fills my heart to hear students’ unique perspectives and lived experiences. Our future is in good hands thanks to their optimism and resilience.”
After receiving an exceeding number of tremendously qualified applicants, the Bailey-Findley Foundation graciously donated an additional $4,000, awarding two additional scholarships over the advertised ten.
Each recipient also receive a season pass to the 77th annual Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, presented by Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, which will take place February 13 to March 2 in Indio.
2025 Date Festival Scholarship Recipients
| Recipient Name | Hometown | High School |
| Grace Buley | Beaumont | Beaumont HS |
| Julian Cansino | Indio | Indio HS |
| Ayden Chavez | Indio | Indio HS |
| Kaylee Cuevas | Indio | Indio HS |
| Lyle Dela Luna | La Quinta | Palm Desert HS |
| Jessica Guillen | Cathedral City | Cathedral City HS |
| Jazmine Leos | Cathedral City | Cathedral City HS |
| Kiley Long | Hemet | Hemet HS |
| Natalia Lopez | Coachella | Coachella HS |
| Parshv Patel | Hemet | West Valley HS |
| Savannah Vela | Indio | Shadow Hills HS |
| Ashlee Wilson | Indio | La Quinta HS |
For more information about the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, visit www.datefest.org.
