A Washington Apple Education Foundation scholarship recipient has donated a portion of his first paycheck to the scholarship program that helped him earn his degree.

Neftali Garcia graduated in May from Washington State University with a double major in fruit and vegetable management and landscape, nursery and greenhouse management, according to a newsletter from the Washington Apple Education Foundation, or WAEF, a Wenatchee-based nonprofit that helps fund higher education for family members of those employed in the state’s tree fruit industry.

Garcia recently started work for Zirkle Fruit of Selah. Using a portion of his first paycheck, Garcia donated $2,000 toward a scholarship bestowed by WAEF.

Garcia is the first in his family to earn a college degree, the newsletter said. Owning his own orchard is among his goals.

—by Ross Courtney

Related:
—Washington Apple Education Foundation awards over $1 million in scholarships