Agatha Ramos’ path to pursuing a degree in Nutrition Science at UC Berkeley has been anything but conventional. At 28 years old, Agatha is excited to be in school and on her way to a degree—and with the support of Napa Valley Community Foundation’s (NVCF) Fruit of the Vine Scholarship, she’s well on her way to turning her dreams into reality.
Our Fruit of the Vine Scholarship supports Napa County high school graduates and Napa Valley College transfer students who face financial hardships in pursuing higher education. With a preference for students who are first-generation college attendees or have ties to Napa’s wine or grape industry, the scholarship provides up to four years of funding for undergraduate study. Agatha, who transferred to UC Berkeley in Fall 2024, embodies the values this scholarship was created to support.
Love Brought Her to Napa
Agatha’s journey to Napa began thousands of miles away in Brazil. At 23, she arrived in the U.S. as an au pair, working with a family in Lafayette. It was during this time that she met her husband, a Napa native. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “Love brought me to Napa. It’s a beautiful place, and I’m grateful to call it home.”
Before moving to the U.S., Agatha began studying public administration in Brazil, driven by a desire to serve the community. “From the beginning, I had a passion for public service,” she shares. “But my objective wasn’t clear as far as what I would like to do within public service.”
That’s when Agatha decided to take a break from college and explore the world more broadly. “I came here as an au pair and during those two years of exchange, that’s when I fell in love with nutrition and my focus became clearer,” she explains. Her research led her to Napa Valley College, where she rediscovered her academic momentum and set her sights on a career in public health.
Agatha’s passion for nutrition is deeply personal. “I have polycystic ovary syndrome,” she shares. “Nutrition is something that can help you manage the symptoms and keep a good quality of life. As I learned more about how food impacts health, I fell in love with it.”
Now, Agatha wants to make nutrition resources more accessible to underserved communities. Her vision extends beyond clinical nutrition. She points to programs like Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that empower communities to access affordable, nutritious food. “One thing that was frustrating to me was realizing that often people are told to eat healthy by a doctor, but for some individuals and families, they go back to their community and it is not affordable to eat healthy, or there aren’t accessible grocery stores with fresh foods nearby.”
The Fruit of the Vine Scholarship: A Life-Changing Opportunity
The Fruit of the Vine Scholarship has been instrumental in Agatha’s educational journey. “When I learned about the scholarship, I knew I had to apply. It’s so nice to find a scholarship that is renewable and supports you throughout your education,” she says. “It’s the first scholarship that I’ve gotten that is continued for all my education and it’s so encouraging to know that there’s people out there that see my potential and want to invest towards my education.”
Agatha expresses deep gratitude to the donors who made her scholarship possible: “Thank you for your kindness and generosity. It’s amazing that someone who doesn’t know me is willing to support my education.”
Agatha hopes to be able to give back and help others the way she’s being helped today. Though she’s still making her way through college, Agatha envisions a career in community nutrition, particularly in underserved areas. “I love Napa, and I want to stay here,” she shares. “But I also want to work in neighboring communities like Fairfield and Vallejo, where health resources are needed.”
With her determination—and the backing of our Fruit of the Vine Scholarship—we know she’s poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many.
Scholarship Applications Are Open from
January 6 to March 3, 2025