Date: Fri, 15 May 1998 16:22:04 -0700 From: Eros Publishing Subject: Press Release $64,000 IN LESBIAN/GAY SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO 40 RECIPIENTS The Pride Foundation and Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarship programs are pleased to announce 40 recipients will be receiving scholarships for 1998-1999. The scholarships work to strengthen the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in the Pacific Northwest by promoting education and recognizing leadership. GS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DO NOT PUBLISH AFTER 12/31/98 CONTACT: TED LORD (PRIDE), 206-323-3318 RITA SMITH (GSBA) 206-443-4722 BA and Rolfs Scholarships recipients will be introduced at the group's monthly luncheon, Wednesday, May 20, 1998 from 11:30-1:00pm at the Harborside Restaurant in Seattle. For more details contact GSBA at 206/443-4722. Pride Foundation recipients will receive their awards at the Summer Grants Celebration at the Washington Park Arboretum on Tuesday, August 18, from 6:00-8:00pm. The Pride Foundation/GSBA scholarship programs believe that by encouraging education we are helping men and women develop their potential and thus further contribute to our community. The long-range purpose of these scholarships is to build self-esteem, promote diversity, and support human rights. "We are thrilled to award this many scholarships to deserving students," said GSBA Scholarship Chair Bob Dlugosh. "Many of these students have overcome severe discrimination and harassment, and all have shown themselves to be true allies to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community." Since 1991 a total of $108,500 has been awarded to 75 recipients through the combined scholarship programs, the largest in the United States. This year, from a field of 167 applicants, the following 40 individuals were selected to receive awards ranging from $500 to $2,500 to assist with their educational expenses (see attached recipient profiles). Recipients come from throughout the states of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. [The Pride Foundation works to strengthen our lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community today, and build an endowment fund for tomorrow. Since 1987, the Pride Foundation has made grants of over 1.5 million dollars to support over 200 non-profit organizations. As a community foundation Pride raises funds for its granting and scholarship programs, educates about community needs and solutions, fosters leadership and promotes the leveraging of available community resources. The Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) includes over 800 retail, service and professional members. Founded in 1981, it is the second largest business association in Seattle. In addition to its scholarship program, GSBA publishes The Guide/Directory, an annual listing of businesses and resources in the gay community, and stages networking and informational events for its members.] Pride Foundation Scholarships: The Pride Foundation is awarding $34,025 in scholarships to 27 recipients for the 1998-1999 academic year. Brian M. Day Scholarships - For Seattle area gay men of color who have significant financial need and demonstrate activism in the gay/lesbian community and in their communities of color. Eddie Beck plans to continue his undergraduate studies in Political Science at Seattle University. Because of his past political involvement, he is striving to have some kind of career in the political field, whether it is through legislative work, pre-law, or non-profit work. He has always felt that politics is his "true calling" in life. Eddie is a talented and dedicated leader, long involved in many groups in the community including the Northwest AIDS Foundation, American Friends Service Committee, P-FLAG, Seattle Repertory Theatre. We are delighted to have Eddie as a second-year recipient of the Brian M. Day scholarship award. Isaiah Brokenleg would like to become a healer. He currently works in the social services, and plans to start his higher education by gaining an Associate degree in human services at Seattle Central Community College, and then plans to go on to a university to complete college and a Master's degree in social work. Isaiah was a member of the National Honor Society all three years of high school. His commitment to community and to activism is evident in the lengthy list of organizations for which he has volunteered. A few among them are Lambert House, Queer Oyate, Northwest AIDS Foundation, Coalition of AIDS Peer Education, Youth Care, Queer Teen Information Project, and Native American Night at Lambert House. Joseph Brown plans to continue his education at Seattle Arts Institute, specializing in interior design and furniture upholstery. Joey hopes to be an encouragement to many people by accomplishing his vision to become an interior designer. Joey has done outreach for Union Gospel Mission and in that capacity also spearheaded an effort to provide food, clothing, toys and hygiene products for over 20 families in the Seattle area. Joey was a dedicated and enthusiastic volunteer during the I-677 campaign to stop job discrimination based on sexual orientation. He has volunteered also for People of Color Against AIDS Network whose recommendation described Joey as "a very active volunteer who has a generous spirit." This is the second year Joseph has received a scholarship. Roy Chan is a 17-year-old senior from Cleveland High School in Seattle. A superb student, Roy also has accrued more than 250 hours of volunteer work at Swedish Hospital, served as editor of the Cleveland Journal, has regularly tutored other students through the Cleveland High School "SKY" Club, a junior Kiwanis service club. Since coming out in high school, he has sought to promote the gay community. Roy has accomplished all this while maintaining a 4.00 GPA. He plans to complete doctoral studies and teach comparative literature at the university level. Alfonso Lara is a second-year recipient of the Brian M. Day scholarship. Alfonso is a committed, disciplined scholar who has proven himself to be a superior researcher and an innovative thinker. Last quarter, he produced a seminal biography on AIDS activist Pedro Zamora and, in doing so, was able to celebrate the lives of all Latin Americans dedicated to eradicating the disease and to educating youth about prevention. He is currently studying at Evergreen State College and plans to transfer to the University of Washington this fall to complete his Master's degree. David Lee has worked and plans to continue to work in disease prevention targeting communities of color and gay and lesbian communities. David is currently enrolled in the University of Washington's Graduate School of Social Work program, and plans to enter the concurrent degree program in the Graduate School of Social Health, which will begin in Summer 1998. David organized and served as Board Treasurer of the African American Lesbian/Gay Alliance of Houston, and founded Project HOPE to provide HIV prevention information to the African American lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Houston. In Seattle, David was employed with People of Color Against AIDS Network (POCAAN), where he was instrumental in implementing a program to provide HIV/AIDS treatment and clinical trials information to people of color. Leonard Stickman is a winner of the Brian M. Day scholarship as well as a Paul Arnold scholarship. Leonard has for years sold his artwork, which consists of authentic hand crafted Native American art such as dream catchers, necklaces, medicine shields and earrings at various stores in Seattle. He has been an inspiration to closeted people to come out and has been approached by these individuals to thank him for being open, proud, and for encouraging them to be themselves. He plans to further develop his talent at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Cole/Stewart Scholarship - For Washington residents under age 25 raised by one or more lesbian or gay parent(s) who wish to pursue undergraduate education at an accredited college or vocational school. Brandon P. Juhl is finishing his Bachelor of Arts Degree at Hamline University in Minnesota. In the fall he plans to enter the Masters in Teaching Program at Seattle University. After completion of that program he would like to teach somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Among other achievements, Brandon has canvassed for Campaign Finance Reform with Citizen Action, and last year produced and directed a one and a half hour documentary on ecological business ethics and institutional leadership. Pride Foundation Scholarships and Lee S. Burke Scholarships - Unrestricted scholarships to support leadership development, enhance self-esteem, and promote diversity within the gay/lesbian community. Kirsten Anderberg will finish her Doctorate of Jurisprudence program at Whittier Law School in May 1999. She then plans to sit for the Washington State Bar Exam in July 1999 and go into private practice as an attorney. Formerly herself a welfare mother, Kirsten's senior thesis at the University of Washington was "From Welfare to Law School." She has engaged in political activism for gay and abortion rights, and has worked as a performer, business owner and teacher's assistant. Jaime Linn Barber is a 20 year old singer and guitar player from Seattle who has been on her own since age 13. She has managed to overcome enormous obstacles in the pursuit of her education. Jamie plans to pursue an Associate and later a Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communication and deaf interpretation. She worked in Mt. Vernon against initiatives that would further limit lesbian and gay rights. She plans to attend Seattle Central Community College and Evergreen State College. Linda Bautista is a Latina from Yakima attending Central Washington University. She is working towards a Psychology Degree with minors in Sociology and Law & Justice. Eventually she hopes to run her own facility which would provide Adventure Based Counseling methods and programs for a number of negatively labeled youth. For the last five seasons she has coached baseball, soccer, and basketball for the Yakima County Substance Abuse Coalition. Linda organized Yakima's first Gay Pride celebration in 1994. Linda has also been an active volunteer with Yakima MCC, POCAAN, and Care Bearers. Michael Clark is finishing a double-major of Music Conducting and Music Performance at Southern Oregon University, and then plans to enter the University's Teaching Certification program. For two years (1995-1997) he was the Project Coordinator of Southern Oregon Youth Outreach and served as director of the Rogue Valley's pro-social model youth group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning youth and their friends. He has also volunteered at Alan's House (an AIDS hospice) and performed in the Daedalus Project of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the festival's yearly fund raiser for AIDS charities. Tisha Lynn Garver is from Everett and has been admitted to Seattle University for Fall 1998. Tisha is working towards a Master's in Social Work and Secondary Education/ English. She plans to be a high school teacher and community educator. She has participated in numerous county events, speaking on behalf of lesbian and gay teenagers. From 1993-1997 Tisha was part of START (Students Teaching AIDS Reality to Teens) a peer service group who educates teens on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. She has won her school's Outstanding Achievement in Mathematics Award, has been on the honor roll all three years of high school, and has won the scholastic athlete award all three years. Paul Miller is a 17-year-old resident of Corvallis, Oregon, who played a primary role in organizing the Gay/Straight Alliance at Corvallis High School and helped the students at Crescent Valley High School found a GSA as well. Paul is very active in theater, and would also like to study other careers in media, preferably at Reed College. Dana Prince is a high school senior from Seattle interested in studying anthropology, English and Women's Studies in college. She is the founder and co-president of the Garfield High School Gay-Straight/Student-Teacher Alliance. She has been involved in four operas with Seattle Opera: Hansel und Gretel (93), Carmen (95), Turandot (96), and Werther (97). She has earned college credit through the Running Start program in radio broadcasting, computer servicing, laser fiber optics, desktop publishing, vinyl sign-making, web design, and in musical instrument digital interfacing (MIDI). She plans to pursue her studies at either Grinnell or Smith Colleges. Patricia "PJ" Sheehy is currently enrolled at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. PJ is interested in gaining skills specific to theater in order to create plays that will depict gay/lesbian characters in honest, thought-provoking human dramas. PJ has contributed to many fund-raisers as performer, participant or organizer. She is the owner of Onyx Leather, which existed as a full-time retail outlet from 1984 to 1993, and which she continues to run on a part-time basis. Sommer Wolcott is a 21-year-old junior from Monmouth, Oregon attending Western Oregon University. She is majoring in psychology, with a minor in physical education. Sommer has volunteered teaching the toddlers at Greater Gresham Baptist Church and working with at-risk teens through the Police Activities League. Sommer is an all-around athlete, currently the short stop for her school's fastpitch team. She is a member of the Triangle Alliance club, and is helping to plan and organize a gay and lesbian studies class that will be offered this spring. Robert E. Wright is an activist from Portland whose personal goal is to continue to support men, women and families of the African-American GLBT community. He graduates in June from Portland Community College, and will then transfer to study Sociology and Intercultural Communication with a minor in Business Management, and finally complete a Master's of Social Work from Clark University in the Year 2001. He will then counsel men, women and families who are affected or infected with HIV/AIDS, or do youth and peer counseling with an emphasis on the GLBT coming out process. Robert Browning Scholarships - This memorial scholarship is awarded each year for students in health science or health services: Travis Dale Riggs is a 17 year old Eagle High School, Idaho, student who plans to enter the Registered Nursing program at Boise State University in the Fall of 1998. While in high school, Travis entered the Nursing Assistant program and received his certification this past February. Travis is currently involved in developing a gay-straight alliance, which he helped launch. This high school group, to be called Eagle Pride, has been building slowly since August 1997. Paul Arnold Scholarships and Ric Ulrich/Chuck Pischke Scholarships - Both of these memorial scholarships are for students of interior, fashion or graphic arts and design who demonstrate originality of vision, aptitude and commitment to their chosen field. Travis McCreless is a graduate of South Whidbey High School who plans to study apparel design and fashion merchandising. Travis helps run the Whidbey Island Gay Youth group. He will soon be going to Washington, DC, with a group called Close Up which will meet with Senators and Representatives. Joshua James Dyer plans to study interior design at The Art Institute of Seattle. Josh has long pursued this interest by creating playhouses (complete with wallpaper, carpet, and landscaping), decorating his room, helping with bulletin boards and holiday decorations at school, and the interior and exterior decorating of homes for friends and family. Josh has been very active in the fight against homophobia in his high school, and is involved in planning a "Rock for Diversity" concert at Pullman High School. Carissa McHugh is currently enrolled in the Apparel Design program at Seattle Central Community College, and plans to attend the New York Fashion Academy. She has launched a catalogue for designer fabric sales on the internet. She has also volunteered and worked in theater, and been active in environmental causes. She plans to work within the community as a costume designer of the highest rank. Tim King is a native of Eastern Washington currently studying interior design at Cornish College of the Arts. He has always been focused on youth involvement and has served as a coach with U.S. Diving for 11 years He would like to give back to those who taught him, and to carry on the tradition of exceptional education. Leonard Stickman is very gifted in making authentic hand crafted Native American art such as dream catchers, necklaces, medicine shields and earrings. He has demonstrated his ability in the Indian Art community by participating in the Annual Seafair Indian Days Pow-Wow as an artisan and volunteer. He has encouraged many closeted people to come out and has been approached by these individuals to thank him for being open, proud, and for encouraging them to be themselves. He plans to further develop his talent at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Leonard is also a recipient of a Brian M. Day scholarship this year Daniella Altfeld-Moreno Scholarship - For Latino/Latina youth (under 21), self-identified gay or lesbian or the children of lesbian and gay parents; preference is given to students involved in athletics. Noel Pereyra-Johnston loves the sciences and plans to become a pediatrician. He will graduate from high school this June, and will enter the University of Washington in Fall 1998. Noel has played violin in the Mariner High orchestra since seventh grade, and enjoys playing at local nursing homes during the holiday season. He has tutored children, youth and adults in math, and was a youth counselor at the Latino Youth Culture Camp. Christopher Anthony Rivera is a 10 year old Puerto Rican boy. Christopher is in the 4th grade at McMicken Heights Elementary School. Christopher has taken karate and kung-fu lessons for the past five years. He enjoys karate and likes the discipline it teaches. He plans to use his scholarship to further his study of kung-fu at twice-weekly classes at the Sea-Tac Recreation Center. Inland Northwest Business Alliance (INBA) Scholarships -This is the first year for this scholarship awarded to residents of Eastern Washington, North Idaho, and Montana. Jay Castro is a sixteen year-old high school student currently enrolled in the "Running Start" program at Spokane Falls Community College. He plans to transfer on to a university to obtain his teaching degree when he completes his liberal arts degree in the spring of 1999. His community service includes involvement with the Prevention Center, the See the Light Squad, the Salvation Army's Camp Gifford, and the Odyssey Youth Group. Christopher Canlas is a nineteen year-old resident of Idaho who is currently pursuing studies in international business, political science, and philosophy at Seattle University. His volunteer service includes work with the Seattle University Campus Ministry, the Northwest AIDS Foundation, the Boise Gay/AIDS Community, and the American Red Cross. GSBA Scholarships: The GSBA is awarding $30,000 in scholarships for undergraduate Washington residents who demonstrate financial need and a commitment to ethnic diversity. Richard Rolfs Scholars: The GSBA scholarship program received an especially large boost this spring with a $200,000 bequest from Richard Rolfs estate. Rolfs, a native of Wenatchee and graduate of Washington State University, was active in community political and civic affairs for over twenty years before dying from AIDS in 1994. Grants from the fund established in his name target students from Eastern Washington. Says Bob Dlugosh, GSBA scholarship program chair, " Dick was not only a dedicated and resourceful Gay activist during his life, but his endowment ensures that students for generations to come will benefit from his commitment to human rights." Jannette Bannister came to Seattle from the Philippines as a teenager. She graduated from Ballard High and N. Seattle Community College, and is now studying Family and Consumer Sciences Education at WSU. After facing many cultural and religious challenges in accepting her sexual identity, she hopes to become a teacher and role model for sexual minority students. Even though Jannette has had to work her way through school, she has energetically participated in numerous community activities, including her current position as co-chair of the WSU Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Committee. Jay Castro has overcome lack of family and financial support to demonstrate outstanding academic abilities and community commitment. He has been active in the Greater Spokane Substance Abuse Council's Prevention Center, the Odyssey Youth Group, and student government. He is graduating from Spokane's West Valley High gifted program and plans to complete his liberal arts degree at Spokane Falls Community College, where he is a running start student. He wants to become a teacher and eventually a politician or lobbyist for civil rights. Leanne Norton, a second year scholarship recipient, has an amazing capacity to bridge communities. As a nurse she has been an outspoken advocate for sexual minorities, helping lesbian couples with insemination and providing energetic, compassionate support for people living with AIDS through the Inland NW AIDS Coalition. After her senior year at the WSU Intercollegiate Center for Nursing Education, she plans to enter the master's program for family nurse practitioners. GSBA Scholars: Jaime Barber has lived on her own since she was thirteen. Active in the AFSC Gay and Lesbian Youth Program, she has overcome extreme hardships to become a tireless activist and spokesperson for sexual minority youth. She plans to study journalism/communication and deaf interpretation at Seattle Central Community College to help develop her career in music. Jaime says, "A community is lost without musical expression, and a community will destroy itself if it remains separated and segregated. I want to be pivotal in uniting my queer community and the world community, and I will." Linda Bautista, a Mexican American lesbian, is returning to her Yakima roots to make a difference for youth. Studying psychology, sociology and law and justice at Central Washington University, she is bolstering her already impressive accomplishments with high-risk youth. She has worked extensively in the community, including the Yakima Substance Abuse Coalition, Camp Fire, GALA (CWU Queer Organization), and is an "out" living group advisor. She organized the first Yakima Gay Pride March. Linda says, "What I am all about is activism against discrimination, ignorance and violence for ALL oppressed individuals." Judith Bodner, a lesbian massage therapist with a severe progressive hearing loss, is majoring in cross cultural studies and the healing arts at Fairhaven College. She is academically exceptional, artistically talented, an outstanding athlete and deeply committed to community diversity. She has been especially active in Seattle's Deaf/Blind Community and won a design contest for Fairhaven's college logo. Judith demonstrates an impressive inner strength blended with sensitivity and compassion. Isaiah Brokenleg, a Winkte (gay Lakota male), wants to heal. Raised by his grandparents in traditional culture and speaking Lakota as his first language, he learned that queer people are honored and respected with special roles in the community. However, when he moved to Seattle to live with his father at age fourteen, he was abused and rejected. He rebounded by entering the La-Ba-Te-Yah Youth Home and graduated from American Indian Heritage High School as valedictorian. He plans to study human services at Seattle Central Community College and eventually decide whether to pursue emotional healing in social work or physical healing in medicine. Tish Garver was an outstanding student and athlete at Everett High School, but faced severe abuse as a lesbian. Frightened but determined, she became a confident and articulate spokesperson for gay and lesbian teenagers in Snohomish County. She plans to continue her education at Seattle University to become a teacher. She writes, "My life long mission is to stop discrimination of any kind through education and role modeling to help create safe and culturally healthy schools for all children." Andrew Dawe is a born leader. At Woodinville High School he has done outstanding work in theater and was a founding member of FADE (Falcons Against Discrimination Everywhere). Strongly supported by his single mother, Andrew has worked throughout the Northshore School District and Western Washington to address problems of discrimination and harassment. He plans to continue his education at Fairhaven College to develop his skills as a public speaker and activist. Adam Haws loves music. A senior at Eastlake High in Redmond, as well as a Running Start student at Bellevue Community College, he plans to attend Western Washington University or the University of Washington to develop his skills in composition and bassoon performance. The only openly gay student in a school of 1,300, he found opportunities to address gay rights through classroom projects in the face of severe social and religious pressures. He has volunteered for the Seattle Opera for several years, performed as guest conductor for the Youth Philharmonic and composed a Choral Mass. Scott Holleman grew up in Ephrata in Central Washington, an exceptional student and openly gay. At the University of Washington he has continued his academic accomplishments, having been granted early admittance to the Microbiology Department, where he is studying to become a research scientist. A deeply committed activist, he has been a tireless worker for the Gay Bisexual Lesbian Transgender Commission, the UW Young Democrats and Initiative 677. He was one of the co-founders of the UW Coalition for Domestic Partnership. Mark Iversen endured years of harassment in the Kent School District and is working with the ACLU on a lawsuit to stand up against the homophobia he experienced there. An outstanding leader in both high school and college Distributive Education Programs, he is now studying marketing at South Seattle Community College and plans to become a high school marketing teacher. He is determined to change school treatment of sexual minority students and hopes to be a role model for other students who are facing discrimination and harassment. Teresa Myers combines high academics, outstanding athletic abilities, and dedicated community activism. A resident of Albion, WA, she is a senior at the University of Idaho, where she is studying to become a teacher and advocate for queer youth. As co-chair of the Queer Student Association, she is described as a "trail blazer on a decidedly unfriendly campus." Teresa wrote a successful Pride Foundation grant proposal to fund an outreach program, campaigned for Initiative 677 in Washington, and maintains the U of I Women's Center web page. Justin Pava plans to study science at Harvey Mudd College. He has maintained outstanding grades in Advanced Placement and Honors classes at Sammamish High and in Running Start classes at Bellevue Community College. Justin is actively involved in the chess team, debate team, drama and band, as well as many community organizations, including Temple B'nai Torah and Chicken Soup Brigade. He received the State of Washington Governor's Youth Award. His father is Alex Pava, the first openly gay Bellevue School Board candidate. Sylvia Potts, a single black lesbian mother, is pursuing an Associate Degree in Social and Human Services at Seattle Central Community College. Having faced many challenges in her own life, she wants to work in the gay/lesbian community, focusing on women's issues such as sexuality, self esteem and self empowerment. Sylvia is involved in Solo Parenting Alliance's support group for lesbian single mothers and is participating in the Americorps/Sound Youth Program. She is active in Sistah-2-Sistah and Sojourner Truth Unity Church. Chris Smith has overcome lack of family and community resources to become a successful student and musician. He faced severe harassment and changed schools and foster homes many times before finding a positive school environment at Summit K-12 School and a supportive home with Lesbian foster parents. Chris plans to attend Seattle Central Community College and Pacific Lutheran University. A valued member of the Seattle Lesbian and Gay Chorus, he plans to study music education to foster musical creativity in children. Kate Sullivan is a dynamic, talented young lesbian who plans to pursue a career in stage management. She graduated with highest honors from North Thurston High in Lacey and is now doing outstanding work in drama at the University of Washington. Kate hopes to study at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University. She has been active in Stonewall Youth in Olympia and the UW Gay, Bisexual, Lesbian, Transgender Commission. Karen Zimmerman lost her family's support when she came out at age 15. Since then she has lived on her own and overcome severe difficulties to continue her education and maintain her sense of worth. She demonstrates sensitivity and dedication in her Americorps work at a drop-in center for homeless youth and as a volunteer for Q-Patrol. Karen plans to pursue her interests in psychology and art at Evergreen State College. She hopes to combine those areas into a career that will free herself and others. http://www.wolfenet.com/~aubrey/aubrey.htm