Emma Graham of Dixon, a 2026 graduate of Dixon High School, won the inaugural $3500 Dale Fletcher Memorial Scholarship.  She will be attending Chico State University in the fall, pursuing a degree in agribusiness management. The newly named scholarship memorializes a Dixon resident who died in January 2026 of a farming accident.  Fletcher was a longtime volunteer in the livestock program at the Dixon May Fair and a longtime 4-H leader.  With Graham are Carrie Hamel of Dixon, scholarship chair, and Gil Molina of Vacaville, president of the Friends. 

DIXON, CA (MPG) - The Friends of the Dixon May Fair has awarded nine college agricultural scholarships, totaling $33,500, to Solano County high school alumni in its annual Donnie and Tootie Huffman Scholarship Program.

The highest award, the $8000 Donnie Huffman Presidential Scholarship, went to Massimo Menicou of Vacaville, who just completed his second year of studies at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he is majoring in pre-veterinary science. Menicou, a 2024 graduate of Vacaville High School, previously received two other scholarships from the Friends of the Fair.

Scholarship committee chair Carrie Hamel of Dixon presented the awards at the organization’s annual June barbecue and awards dinner, held at Friends’ Plaza at the May Fair. She announced that since 2003, the Friends have awarded a total of $340,250 in scholarships to Solano County alumni majoring in an agricultural field. Her comment drew widespread applause.

The scholarship program memorializes two Vacaville residents, Donnie Huffman, the founding president of the Friends of the Fair, and his wife Claudia “Tootie” Huffman, founding treasurer. Donnie died June 17, 2023, at age 83, and Tootie on March 29 of this year at age 84.

The 2026 recipients include three from Vacaville; three from Dixon; two from Rio Vista, and one from Fairfield. The scholarship program has two categories: the four-year university level, and two-year community college level.

In addition to Menicou, other recipients in the four-year university category are:

Elena Mendonso of Vacaville, a 2024 graduate of Vacaville Christian High School, won the $5000 JoAn Giannoni Scholarship. She just completed her second year at Chico State University and plans to become a veterinarian. The Giannoni Scholarship honors a Dixon resident who is a founding member and former longtime treasurer of the Friends.

Sam Esperson of Rio Vista won the $4000 Ester Armstrong Memorial Scholarship. He just completed his fourth year at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural systems management. Esperson is a 2022 graduate of Rio Vista High School and a two-time recipient of the Donnie Huffman Presidential Scholarship. The scholarship memorializes a former interim chief executive officer of the Dixon May Fair (2006-2009). Armstrong, a resident of Rocklin, died in 2009 of cancer.

Cody Barr of Dixon won the $3500 Joe Gates Memorial Scholarship. A 2025 graduate of Dixon High School, he is attending Utah State, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business management. He is a previous recipient of a Friends’ scholarship. Gates, a longtime Dixon May Fair and Solano County Fair auctioneer and a resident of Rio Vista, died in February 2023 of COVID.

Emma Graham of Dixon, a 2026 graduate of Dixon High School, won the inaugural $3500 Dale Fletcher Memorial Scholarship.  She will be attending Chico State University in the fall, pursuing a degree in agribusiness management. The newly named scholarship memorializes a Dixon resident who died in January 2026 of a farming accident.  Fletcher was a longtime volunteer in the livestock program at the Dixon May Fair and a longtime 4-H leader.

Payton King of Fairfield won a $3500 Donnie and Tootie Huffman Scholarship. She is currently attending the University of Minnesota, Crookston, pursuing a degree in animal science.  A 2025 graduate of Rodriguez High School. She is a previous scholarship recipient.

Bridget de Flores of Rio Vista, a 2023 graduate of Rio Vista High School, won a $3500 Donnie Tootie Huffman Scholarship. She is attending Texas A&M University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education.  She is a previous recipient.

In the community college category, Reagan Castelli of Dixon won the top award, the $1500 Jack Hopkins Memorial Scholarship. She attends Butte College, majoring in agriculture science, with plans to become an ag teacher. She is a 2025 graduate of Dixon High School.  Hopkins (1922-2009), a fruit rancher and lifelong resident of Fairfield and Suisun, was a strong supporter of the Junior Livestock Auctions at the Dixon May Fair and Solano County Fair.

Vincent Perry of Vacaville won a $1000 Donnie and Tootie Huffman scholarship. He attends Butte College, majoring in ag business. He is a 2025 graduate of Vacaville High School. He is a previous recipient.

Tribute to the Founders

Sarah Vasquez Lincoln and Kristy Vasquez of Vacaville, granddaughters of the late Donnie and Tootie Huffman and daughters of Solano County Supervisor John Vasquez, provided a legacy tribute to the founders. They were joined on stage by daughters, Kensley Lincoln, 7, and Amelia Vasquez-Fuller, 7.

 “With grateful hearts, we pause to honor the lives and legacy of our grandparents, whose vision, dedication, and generosity helped establish Friends of the Dixon May Fair,” Lincoln read. “Although our grandfather passed away in 2023 and our grandmother joined him this past March of 2026, their impact continues to be felt throughout our community and fairgrounds, which some would call their second home.” 

“What began as a dream to support local youth, agriculture, and the fair grew into something far greater than anyone could have imagined. Through Friends of the Dixon May Fair, they created opportunities for countless young people to learn, grow, compete, and develop lifelong skills. Their passion for agriculture and their belief in investing in future generations helped strengthen the local agricultural clubs, support fair projects, and improve the fairgrounds for everyone.”

 They emphasized that “their success was never accomplished alone. We extend our deepest appreciation to every volunteer, fair employee, board member, donor, sponsor, supporter, exhibitor, parent, mentor, family member and community who contributed their time, support, and resources throughout the many years and multiple fairs. Your commitment and hard work helped transform their vision into a lasting organization that has touched so many lives. Together, we built a tradition of honor, service, opportunity, and community pride that continues to honor their legacy and thrive each and every fair.”

“Let’s be honest: a true measure of a legacy is not only what was created, but what continues after those who started it are gone. As the next generation, we are honored to carry forward the values our grandparents instilled—hard work, dedication, generosity, and a deep commitment to agriculture and youth development. We recognize the responsibility that comes with preserving what they built, and we are committed to ensuring that Friends of the Dixon May Fair continues to serve and support future generations for many years to come.”

In closing, Lincoln commented that “as we look toward the future, we do so with gratitude for the foundation they laid and for the many people who have helped along the way. Their spirit lives on in every young person encouraged, every agricultural project supported, every improvement made to the fairgrounds, and every community member who believes in the mission they began.”

“Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey,” Lincoln said. “We invite you to join us as we continue their legacy, honor their memory, and work together to ensure that Friends of the Dixon May Fair remains a source of opportunity, growth, and community pride year after year. Their work may have started with them, but their legacy belongs to all of us. Thank you from heaven above and the hearts of the Vasquez, Fuller and Lincoln families.”

President Gil Molina

The Friends, an all-volunteer, service-oriented organization, is headed by President Gilbert "Gil" Molina of Vacaville. The organization raises funds through the sale of beverages at the four-day fair, and donates the proceeds for building and grounds improvements, college scholarships and exhibitor awards.

Applicants are scored on personal, civic and academic experience; academic standing; personal commitment and established goals; leadership potential; and civic accomplishments. Most applicants have experience in 4-H, FFA or Grange — criteria desired but it is not mandated, Hamel said. 

Continuing scholarship winners may apply up to four times, Hamel said. Scholarship checks can be used only for tuition, fees, books, materials and supplies, housing, and meals purchased on campus. 

The deadline to apply for the annual scholarship is March 1. The application form can be downloaded from the Friends of the Fair Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsoftheDixonMayFair.

 The scholarship committee, chaired by Hamel, also includes Linda Molina, Kathy Keatley Garvey, and Kristy Vasquez all of Vacaville, and Sue Miracle and Michelle Robinson of Dixon.