The San Benito County Heritage Foundation announced the recipient of the 2018 Heritage Hog, and she’s an incoming senior at San Benito High School.
Savanna Souza is this year’s recipient of the hog, which is auctioned off at the San Benito County Fair in the fall, customarily for tens of thousands of dollars, to help raise funds for the Heritage Foundation. The nonprofit organization supports Bolado Park.
According to the organization’s website with regard to the Heritage Hog auction:
All monies raised from the sale are invested in Bolado Park. The Heritage Foundation pays for the hog and all related expenses. The winning applicant becomes the only finalist for a $1,000 college scholarship and receives a commemorative buckle. The scholarship is awarded during their senior year of high school.
The winner is tasked with caring for the hog, along with speaking at events and meetings to promote the foundation.
Souza reacted in part through a statement released by the organization:
“I am currently a senior at San Benito High School and a member of Hollister FFA! Throughout my experiences in the FFA organization I have served on multiple levels including my chapter, section, and region. I enjoy public speaking, meeting new people, and serving my community.”
She goes on to note her plans are to attend a four-year university majoring in agricultural communications, and how she’s “so honored and humbled” to be this year’s recipient. She wrote how Bolado Park holds “a special place in my heart” as her hometown fairgrounds.
Past Heritage Hog recipients with sale amounts provided by the foundation:
2017: Ali Perry $101,445
2016: Noah Janzing $85,150
2015: Shannon Maguire $84,516
2014: Sarah Ninio $73,873
2013: Mary Alameda $58,425
2012: Katie Nino $43,791
2011: Reno May $31,595
