SEPC names Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients
SEPC names Vorhees Vision Scholarship recipients
The Southeast Produce Council announced the recipients of the 2026 Vorhees Vision Scholarship, an award created to recognize and support young individuals who demonstrate a strong entrepreneurial spirit while pursuing their educational goals.
The Vorhees Vision Scholarship honors the legacy of the late Terry L. Vorhees, founder and first executive director of the Southeast Produce Council. Through his vision and leadership, SEPC became — and remains — one of the produce industry’s most valuable resources for education, networking and professional growth.
SEPC scholarships are awarded to applicants who meet specific eligibility requirements, including having a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing with the council. Qualified members must have been listed on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and have personally attended at least one SEPC event within the past year.
The 2026 Vorhees Vision Scholarship awards include:
- First Place: $10,000 one-time scholarship to the recipient’s enrolled college or university; Carter Schwalls, daughter of Jon Schwalls of Southern Vally Fruit & Vegetable Inc.
- Second Place: $1,500 scholarship; Johnathon Rocendo, son of Mayra Arvizu of Mack Farms
- Third Place: $1,000 scholarship; Maxwell Masser, son of David & Jamie Masser of Sterman Masser Inc.
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors or currently enrolled college freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Selection criteria also include letters of recommendation, SAT or ACT scores, leadership and community service involvement, and the overall quality of the applicant’s essay.
The 2026 essay topic, “The Future of Farming and Food Security,” challenged applicants to explore how farmers can continue feeding families while navigating modern challenges such as climate change, labor shortages and market volatility. Essays focused on the role of innovation, sustainability and community support in ensuring strong and resilient food systems for future generations.