The Ripon Rotary Club initially intended to give out the first-ever Trade School Scholarships to four recent high school graduates.

Instead, the local service organization upped the ante by adding two more vocational scholarships – $1,000 each – to the list.

“We had six good candidates,” said co-President John Mangelos at Wednesday’s meeting at Spring Creek Golf & Country Club.

Jake Graves, Nico Ricketts, and Dylan Werner from Ripon High’s Class of 2021, along with Thomas Campbell, who graduated from RHS two years ago, were recognized by Ripon Rotarians. Two more scholarship winners will be announced next week, according to Youth Chair Frances Taylor.

Graves is currently employed by EMT Racing, a motocross and off-road racing business in Manteca. He plans to use his scholarship funds towards taking welding classes at Modesto Junior College.

Ricketts has been working at Schmeper’s Ace Hardware for the past 10 months. He plans to join the Carpenters Union and learn pipe fitting.

Campbell is looking to enroll in Northwest Lineman College, a vocational technical college located in Idaho (Meridian). He’s leaning towards becoming a crane operator.

Werner is working fulltime for Jackrabbit equipment manufacturer and agricultural services in Ripon. Like Graves, he, too, is planning to take welding at MJC.

Funding for the scholarships were made possible by last month’s Duck Race.

The Rotary-sponsored fundraising event consisted of 1,000 rubber ducks being unleashed into a canal for a half-mile race.

Graves, Ricketts, Campbell and Werner were thrilled to receive the Trade School Scholarships.

“They were great candidates,” Taylor said.