scholarship
Holland-Federhart Outstanding Arts Award ($2,000)
Katherine recently graduated from Minneapolis’ South High School after also taking college credits for two years from the University of Minnesota as part of its post-secondary enrollment program.
While in high school, Katherine joined with a friend to restart South High’s gay/straight alliance. Raised in an LGBT family, she is also on District 202’s youth advisory board, where she helps determine the organization’s programming and new direction.
Katherine would like to pursue a career in acting. She sees the theater as a place where complex social issues can be explored in ways that evoke both feelings and thought. One of her teachers writes: “In 35 years of teaching theater and English, and directing more than 60 plays from new works to Shakespeare, I find Kate to be one of a handful who really understands how important preparation and dedication to a role when one has been cast in a play.”
Katherine plans to major in theater and English, with a minor in LGBT studies.
recipient Jacey A. Carlson
scholarship
Reverand Obed "Duke" and Ruth E. Lundeen Social Justice Award ($1,000); Manahan-Bohan Rural Lesbian Award ($1,000)
Jacey graduated from Hermantown High School in Hermantown, Minn. She describes herself as “a regular girl” growing up who, in her junior year, realized she was a lesbian. As she came out, Jacey stayed involved with her school community in the same ways she had previously, but she added messages and information about being gay.
Jacey both promoted acceptance and worked to disprove negative stereotypes about lesbians as a member of the Hermantown Link Crew, a group dedicated to welcoming freshmen into high school, and as co-captain of the Hermantown-Proctor swim team. As a Catholic, she also worked to change her Catholic friend’s views about homosexuality just through their friendships. Her school counselor reflects, “Jacey was raised in a strong, faith-based family. Her poignant and honest endeavor to find her truth without losing her faith has shown me the absolute best that human beings can aspire to be.”
Jacey plans to major in biology and mathematics at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
recipientscholarship Daniel R. Harren
scholarship
Dr. Tom Knabel Academic Achievement Award ($4,000)
Daniel graduated from Bertha-Hewitt High School in Bertha, Minn. He is an out student leader at his high school and in his community. With particular interest in the arts, he has participated in: the Minnesota Boy’s State Band, two different high-school bands, two high-school choirs, and his high-school musical. He is president of his school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, as well as a state officer for the Minnesota Association of Honor Societies.
With a commitment to service, Daniel is an active volunteer in his community. “Perhaps the most important quality possessed by Daniel is the ability to advocate for LGBT people in a community where the values may not be accepted by the majority of the population,” writes one of his teachers. “When discussing issues related to LGBT and social justice, Daniel asks very informed questions that respectfully challenge his peers to examine their worldview and the beliefs that underlie them.”
Daniel plans to major in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
recipient Rachael E. Hawley
scholarship
Meuwissen-Werb Leadership Award ($2,000)
Rachael graduated from Anoka High School, where she has been deeply involved as an out bisexual student, working to change Anoka-Hennepin’s Sexual Orientation Curriculum Policy, otherwise known as the “neutrality policy” which requires teachers to remain neutral on issues of sexual orientation.
“[Rachael is] one of the leading LGBT student advocates in the school district,” writes one of her teachers. “[She] has a tendency to exceed expectations. I could write for some time about how she organized transportation to a board meeting for more than 20 high school students, how she created and distributed to the school board a packet of research-supported responses for each of a conservative group’s 10 anti-gay requests. I may never be prouder of another student than I am of Rachael.”
Rachael wants to become an epidemiologist, focusing on public health and sexuality, with an emphasis on both treating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. She intends to attend the University of Minnesota, majoring in microbiology and minoring in public health and Spanish.
recipient Terry J. Lillis
scholarship
Carey/ Taylor Music Performance Award ($2,500)
Terry graduated from New York Mills High School in New York Mills, Minn. a community where, he writes, “I am the only person I know who is part of the LGBT community.”
An accomplished musician, Terry has been involved with all four types of band offered by his school, as well as multiple other school activities. Upon receipt of this scholarship, he intends to use the recognition to also work with his school counselor on increasing resources for helping students who are coming out. He is particularly concerned about helping younger students feel safe when coming out, working against the bullying that makes it hard to stay out and proud.
Terry will attend Hamline University in St. Paul, with an interest in instrumental music education. His particular interest is in marching band and he hopes to participate of the University of Minnesota’s marching band while attending Hamline. His goal is to learn from this experience and to use his music education experience to work with students in marching band programs.
recipient AnnaMarie C. Loose
scholarship
Blue Earth Award ($2,000)
AnnaMarie graduated from New Prague High School in New Prague, Minn. Growing up in a small town, she became involved with the LGBT community when her older brother came out and she witnessed the reaction from many in the town against her family. She helped start an anti-bullying group at her high school after the community continued to deny the student’s right to a gay-straight alliance. Even in the midst of significant pressure against the group, 60 students attended the first meeting and continue to meet twice a month and work on projects aimed at raising awareness about bullying and harassment.
Upon receipt of a scholarship from PFund, AnnaMarie hopes to use the award to draw more attention to LGBT issues in her community. Writes one of her teachers: “Along with being an excellent student with high intellectual ability and compassion, [AnnaMarie] is fun. She is involved in every musical and theater performance our high school delivers. She has such presence on stage and in life.”
AnnaMarie intends to attend university in Washington, with a focus on foreign languages.
recipient Claire E. Thomas
scholarship
Howard Leibhaber Human Rights Award ($2,000)
Claire recently graduated from Avalon High School in St. Paul, Minn. As a third-generation lesbian, she grew up in gay community and has been participating in political social action for gay rights her whole life.
Active in Out for Equity’s and AMAZE’s anti-bullying campaigns, Claire sees herself as an educator on LGBT issues in her school and wider community. A member of her gay-straight alliance, Claire led an initiative to institute gender-neutral bathrooms at her school. She was also head of the student-run library, organizing student librarians and organizing literacy programs. Her academic work includes an interest in queer history and literature, including a senior project that focuses on gender and sexuality in historical literature.
Writes her school advisory: “Claire is a great role model for our students and sets an example of what an engaged learner looks like. I have no doubt that she will continue to be intellectually engaged with her studies while also utilizing her considerable leadership skills and talents to benefit her new community.”
Claire intends to major on environmental studies or education in college. She will begin with a year of college credits obtained through the post-secondary enrollment program at Minneapolis Community and Technical College.
recipient Lena Yong
scholarship
Southeast Minnesota Award ($2,000); Atheists for Human Rights Award ($700)
Lena recently graduated from Shakopee High School in Shakopee, Minn. The child of two refugee parents, she believes her experience has taught her the value of standing up for what is right and being fearless in protecting her beliefs.
Lena decided to come out as bisexual in eighth grade, upon learning of the murder of gay teen Lawrence King. She actively participated in events held in memory of Lawrence and gradually made a number of positive changes in her life that included her transformation from a failing student to one with an A/B average. She moved into leadership roles with a variety of school clubs and successfully applied to Winona State University.
Lena’s dream is become a graphic designer and help troubled LGBT young people find ways to publicize their passions and beliefs. Writes one of her teachers: “Lena had a bumpy road during ninth and tenth grades and, recognizing that her academic habits were not going to get her where she wanted to be in life, she pulled out of it on her own.”
Lena intends to major in graphic design at Winona State University.
recipient Nakita Delisia Lee Venus
scholarship
Haynes/ Hettinga African American or Native American Student Award ($5,000)
Nakita graduated from Central High School in St. Paul, Minn., where she was president of the school’s gay-straight alliance. As part of this work, she helped organize a speaker’s bureau available to ninth grade students to provide general information and provide support for students who are not yet out as LGBT but need access to the information that will keep them safe. Through her work with the GSA, Nakita also organized Central High’s first Hip Hop Against Homophobia as a promotion for the Day of Silence.
While in high school, Nakita struggled with hearing loss, a factor that she sees as part of what has kept her strongly focused on her goals. Writes one of her teachers: “Nakita Venus is an exceptional candidate, one who will without a doubt contribute greatly to society.”
Nakita’s goal is to major in environmental science and work toward being an animal and human rights activist.
recipient Ronnie Berg
scholarship
Lutheran Student Award ($3,000)
Ronnie experienced homelessness as a young person, being kicked out of a home after identifying as transgender. Ronnie lived in youth shelters and then adult shelters until being accepted at Augsburg College. Ronnie’s call to social work comes from experiencing the many people and services that helped with applications for college, finding housing, and keeping hope alive.
As a deaf studies student, Ronnie has learned that many ASL interpreters and teaching programs still don’t know the signs for the range of LGBT experiences. Ronnie is interested in supporting LGBT communities to become more ASL-inclusive, and helping ASL communities become more LGBT-inclusive.
Reflects one of Ronnie’s program managers: “Ronnie will greatly benefit financially from a scholarship from PFund and it is right that Ronnie will be honored for [work in the LGBT and ASL communities]. However, I think PFund will benefit greatly by publically honoring a young person from our community who truly exemplifies PFund’s mission.”
Ronnie is currently a student at Augsburg College majoring in social work and deaf studies. Ronnie is also employed by Lutheran Social Services as a homeless youth outreach worker. Ronnie plans to attend graduate school for a joint master’s degree in social work and divinity.
recipient Daniel English
scholarship
Marjorie D. Grevious and Lisa R. Robinson Leadership Award ($1,000); RBC Wealth Management Award ($2,000)
Daniel graduated from the School of Environmental Studies high school in Apple Valley, Minn. He is head of the syringe exchange at the Minnesota Transgender Health Coalition, is trained in rapid HCV-antibody testing, and is completing his training in HIV testing. He is in the process of beginning a user’s support group for intravenous drug users. Daniel is also a member of the Transgender Youth Support Network and RECLAIM, a Minneapolis nonprofit working to increase access to mental health support.
Writes his academic advisor: “Daniel is one of our success stories and I think he can serve as a role model for others. He is a personable, high-energy individual with a great deal of intellectual curiosity and a concern for social justice.”
Daniel is currently a student at Metro State University, majoring in gender studies and social work, with a minor in ethnic studies. His intent is to continue on to graduate school. His interest is in continuing to find opportunities to provide support and increase access for trans people and people of color.
recipient Ruth Lane
scholarship
Thomson Reuters Law Student Award ($2,500); All God's Children Metropolitan Community Church Award ($700)
Ruth graduated from Eau Claire High School, in Eau Claire, Wisc., and received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. She was part of the District 202 community for many years, including sitting on its board of directors when she was ages 14 and 19.
While at District 202, Ruth realized that she was drawn to financial and legal subject material. In college, she earned the Outstanding Senior Award and made the dean’s list multiple times. She tutored other students on mathematics and accounting and went on to serve an internship with IBM in New York.
Ruth is now enrolled in the University of Minnesota Law School, focusing on tax law. She volunteers for multiple organizations, including the Asylum Law Project in Tucson, and as a tax preparer with AccountAbilityMN. With her law degree and financial background, her goal is to build the capacity and strength of LGBT nonprofit organizations and, in particular, to support LGBT communities to build their financial resources.
recipient Oskar Ly
scholarship
Linde-Ostrander Building Bridges Award ($5,000)
Oskar graduated from Edison High School in Minneapolis and is currently majoring in apparel design at Minneapolis Community and Technical (MCTC). She is an artist and a community organizer who has a passion for serving community.
Oskar works part time as a freelance Hmong medical interpreter, which has helped her continue to ground in her ethnic language and helped her stay connected to her family and community. Her organizing work has included being part of the leadership team for the Center for Hmong Arts & Talent (CHAT) and as vice chair of the board of directors of Shades of Yellow (SOY). Her intent as an artist is to create art that bridges community conversations
Her coursework at MCTC will enable Oskar to strengthen her production process, focusing on making accessible art that is ready to sell. She is particularly interested in integrating her work as an artist with her work as an organizer and community leader, finding further opportunities that support community dialogue and understanding.
recipient Michaela McLaughlin
scholarship
James T. Lerold Memorial Award ($5,000)
Michaela graduated from Rosemount High School in Rosemount, Minn., and earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College.
Michaela’s commitment to increasing awareness of the LGBT community led to work with asylum seekers in the refugee and immigrant program at the Advocates for Human Rights. In particular, she worked to convince the organization to take on the case of a gay asylum-seeker by gathering appropriate and sufficient evidence and witness testimony to demonstrate violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The case was successful and this experience is part of what led Michaela to graduate school.
Her interest in the power of personal story and individualized case support as an avenue for creating meaning and healing brought her to focus on psychology. In particular, Michaela is interested in supporting members of the LGBT community to claim their own stories toward the moment when integration, resiliency, and healing are realized.
Michaela is currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota, studying for a PhD in educational psychology in the counseling and student personnel track.
recipient Sydney Piras
scholarship
Minnesota State University - Mankato Award ($2,500)
Sydney graduated from Prior Lake High School, in Prior Lake, Minn., and earned her bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University-Mankato. She has been involved in student leadership in a variety of roles, including serving as vice president of the gay-straight alliance. She has volunteered on peer advisory panels and advocated for and created a new advanced LGBT studies course to be offered through the gender and women’s studies program.
Writes one of her professors: “I find Sydney to be intellectually gifted, hard working, and easy to be around. She is an excellent leader who engages her peers in a pedagogical way instead of through verbal sparring. I recommend her enthusiastically and without hesitation.”
Sydney plans to apply for graduate school in counseling and student personnel studies at Minnesota State University-Mankato. She is interested in becoming a high school counselor and supporting the implementation of or ongoing growth of a high school gay-straight alliance. In particular, she is interested in providing support for LGBT students that also fosters activism and leadership towards shifting beliefs about LGBT communities.
recipient Sara Siqueiros
scholarship
Nancy Kelly Female Writer Award ($2,000)
Sara attended South High School in Fargo, ND, and is currently studying art at Minnesota State University in Moorhead, Minn. She came out as bisexual at age 17, in the midst of taking a stand on behalf of LGBT communities at her high school. Her goal is to continue to work against the social barriers she has experienced as an LGBT person, a Mexican-American, and an autistic person. Her major in art has an emphasis on illustration, because she believes deeply in the power of images shared through the media for effecting change.
Sara is a contributing writer to the High Plains Readers’ GLBTQA column, The Gay Agenda, and she volunteers at a number of media projects, including the People’s Press Project, a media justice nonprofit, where she trains the community and new journalists on social media skills.
Writes one of her mentors: “Sara’s leadership in the face of risk is amazing to see. Whether she speaks out against racism in the classroom or inadequate bullying policies in her high school, she does so eloquently and effectively. She will be a young adult to watch.”
recipient Mandi Stebbins
scholarship
Gilligan-Pospisil Homelessness Award ($3,000)
Mandi graduated from Como Park Senior High School in St. Paul, Minn., and is currently attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in biology, society, and the environment, with a minor in the history of medicine.
Mandi grew up in a family that moved in and out of homelessness. At age 11, Mandi knew she was queer. At age 14, she had her first relationship and at age 16, she started attending classes at the University of Minnesota. At age 18 she was elected chair of the Queer Student Cultural Center, which was her largest coming-out moment.
Throughout those moments, Mandi also experienced significant targeting and harassment due to her queer identity. She first majored in art, but then shifted that to pre-medicine. She sees the two as linked, feeling a similar strength in presenting a spoken-word piece as she does in drawing out the carbon chain for shampoo.
Mandi plans to pursue a dual degree program, combining a master’s degree in public health with a medical degree. She wants to be trained in sexual reconstructive surgery and to work as an openly queer physician.
recipient Enzi Tanner
scholarship
Miriam Weinstein Peace and Justice Education Award ($3,000)
Enzi is a second-year recipient of the Miriam Weinstein scholarship, once again demonstrating through his work and commitment the very qualities this scholarship was created to support. He is currently a student at the United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, where his scholarship and community leadership continues to attract praise. His community involvement is extensive and, in particular, focuses on creating affirmative places for transgender people to explore their faith. Enzi serves on multiple local and national boards and has been nominated to leadership positions within the United Church of Christ community for his work.
Enzi’s goals are in the area of pastoral care and counseling, where he hopes to continue working with those who have not felt as if they belong in their faith communities.
Writes one of his professors: “Enzi is a very gifted man who draws upon his self-identity, life experience, and academic training as he does his work with young people through Lutheran Social Services. He is clearly a person respected by his colleagues.”
