Hind will be graduating Burnsville High School this spring and plans to enroll at Minnesota community and Technical College in Minneapolis. Hind volunteers at the Guthrie, she took the lead in organizing her GSA to participate in the AIDS walk as well as helped with events at the Garage Community Center. According to PROUD Advisor Katie Burke, Hind has a keen ability to refocus a group and “is always there to remind the group that regardless of whether or not we share the beliefs of others, we need to respect the fact that everyone is entitled to their beliefs just as we are.” Hind is a writer and spoken word artist and she hopes to pair that work with her activism in her career planning.
recipient Kathryn Blankinship
Brooklyn Park, Minn.
scholarship
Haynes-Hettinga African American or Native American Student Award ($1,000)
Marjorie D. Grevious and Lisa R. Robinson Leadership Award ($1,000)
Kathryn was an active student leader at North Hennepin Community College where she was nominated for “Student of the Year.” Kathryn emerged as a leader in the school’s LGBT student organization where she was voted president of the club during her first semester as a member. In 2009, North Hennepin was chosen to host the statewide spring dinner of the Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance. Kathryn volunteered as the dinner’s co-chair working to bring more than 200 attendees to the event. As a result of Kathryn’s leadership, North Hennepin’s GLBT student group received a “Golden Student Group” award from the college for the group’s work to enrich the campus community. Kathryn was also instrumental in establishing an annual scholarship at North Hennepin Community College for an LGBT student, the first of its kind in the state. With her scholarship, Kathryn will pursue a degree in business administration at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul.
recipient Sean Coffman
Mankato, Minn.
scholarship
Blue Earth Area Award ($2,000)
Southeast Minnesota Award ($588)
Sean is an undergraduate student at Minnesota State University – Mankato where he is active in many of the programs of the University’s LGBT Center. He is a part of the Center’s speakers bureau and makes presentations in classrooms and residence halls about LGBT issues on campus. Sean is an active member of the Center’s Minnesota State Queers and Shout groups where he helps plan campus events such as “Eliminate Hate Week” and serves as a mentor to students as they come out. Brian Wollum, a 2009 PFund scholar and advisor at South Central College, says of Sean, “In my five years at MSU I have never witnessed such a committed, brave and dependable student leader as Sean Coffman.” In addition to his student leadership, Sean is an employee of Target and works with the company to volunteer in the community at events such as Twin Cities Pride and the Minnesota AIDS Walk. Sean is completing a degree in business management and would like to continue his work with Target to become an executive team lead at one of the company’s retail stores.
recipient Adam Dokkestul
Duluth, Minn.
scholarship
PF Engineering Award ($3,500)
Adam is currently attending University of Minnesota – Duluth studying Chemistry/BioChemistry. Adam is an active member of Queer and Allied Students Union, the GLBT group on campus. His dedication has allowed him to take on the co-chair role for this year’s Proud Prom. Adam says this event “provides a safe space where people who self-identify as straight and people who don’t self-identify as straight can come together and enjoy themselves.” Angie Nichols, Director of the GLBT Services Offices, says that Adam is “respected by his peers and finds ways to improve programs, outreach and is full of ideas. Because of his willingness to continue being ‘out’ in his volunteer capacities, for the betterment of helping others understand GLBTA concerns and issues, he will have a direct impact on this campus.” Adam is planning to continue onto medical school after undergraduate school.
recipient Linda Her Oakdale, Minn.
scholarship
Nancy T. Kelly Female Writer Memorial Award ($2,000)
“Linda is an inspiration to us all with her creativity, honesty and vision. Artist activists like Linda are the future our movement,” says Anne Phibbs, director of the University of Minnesota’s GLBTA Programs Office. Linda uses her writing as a tool for social change. She considers herself an artist activist and performs her writing in our communities to bring visibility to “the Hmong Queer experience.” In 2010 Linda won the title of Mr. SOY, as part of the Shades of Yellow Hmong New Year pageant competition. Linda hopes to use this recognition in the community as a tool to advance the voices of her Hmong LGBT community. Linda participates in programs such as the Hmong Women’s Leadership program of the Twin Cities and the University of Minnesota’s GLBT leadership year. She also serves on the board of RECLAIM!, an organization that seeks to provide mental health services and safe space for LGBT youth. Linda will use her scholarship to complete a degree in human services and gender studies at Metropolitan State University.
recipient Nathaniel Irvin
Maple Grove, Minn.
scholarship
Holland-Federhart Outstanding Arts Award ($2,000)
Reverend Obed “Duke” and RuthE Lundeen Social Justice Award ($1,000)
Nate received the student recognition award from his school for demonstrated leadership and positive attitude in classroom work, community service and leadership. He is also an active member of the music program at the Basilica of St. Mary. Nate sees theatre as a way to bridge our communities and a way to educate one another about and celebrate all of our differences. For ten years, Nate organized “backyard neighborhood musicals” with family and friends and raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits. The backyard musicals became a local hit drawing hundreds of people each year from throughout the metro area. Theatre is Nate’s passion and he believes that art serves as a social change tool to reflect our society’s many aspects. He hopes to use his acting career to tell the stories of LGBT people’s lives. Nate has performed with local theatre groups such as Theatre Latté Da and was the lead in many of Minnetonka High School’s productions. He plans to enter a Bachelor of Fine Arts program in the fall to further his acting career.
recipient Natalie Lassman Lawrence, Kan.
scholarship
Linde-Ostrander Breaking Barriers Leadership Award ($5,000) – permanently endowed fund
Natalie will graduate from Lawrence High School in Lawrence, Kansas this spring and will be starting at McNally Smith College of Music where she will pursue a degree in vocal performance. In her own words, Natalie’s “passion for music is only matched by my passion to make a difference in the world, particularly by helping others in our community find acceptance, strength and courage, and inspiration.” Natalie was instrumental in making her school’s GSA more active in the political and social justice movement and her leadership as president of the group has been natural and productive. She is also on the board of the Lawrence-Wide Gay Straight Alliance which supports students of all ages. Natalie’s writing has been published including a piece titled “Dyke on a Haybale: A Lesbian Teen in Kansas Speaks Out” in Trivia Voices.
recipient John Lee
Mankato, Minn.
scholarship
Minnesota State University – Mankato Award ($2,000)
Southeast Minnesota Award ($588)
John is a graduate student at Minnesota State University—Mankato. In 2006, John joined the Peace Corps and served in Romania where he began his LGBT activism. Shocked by the violence and discrimination that faced LGBT communities in Bucharest, John began volunteering with LGBT leaders. As a result of his leadership, John was elected president of the Peace Corps’ gender advancement committee. In that role he established training for Peace Corps volunteers on LGBT issues. Now an active leader in the Mankato community, John serves on the board of South Central Minnesota Pride and works as an advisor in the LGBT center at the University. John is completing a Master of Science degree in experiential learning where he will incorporate learning with hands-on activities.
recipient Josef Lorentz Northfield, Minn.
scholarship
Lutheran Award ($2,000)
Josef is in his third year at St. Olaf College, a Lutheran college in Northfield, Minnesota. He serves as the student life senator, advocating for the voices of marginalized student populations on the college’s student government. Josef is the founder of a weekly forum called LGBT Issues in the Classroom, a forum designed for education majors to discuss strategies for incorporating LGBT topics in their future classrooms. Inspired by the success of the forum, Josef met with the superintendent of his hometown school district and urged the district’s leadership to become more inclusive of LGBT people. Josef plans to become a social studies teacher and will use his leadership role as an educator to raise issues of importance to LGBT communities both inside and outside of the classroom. One professor said of Josef, “he understands that he has the responsibility to advocate for social change for LGBT students, especially those who cannot be out in a school setting.”
recipient Leah Matz
Saint Peter, Minn.
scholarship
Howard Liebhaber Human Rights Award ($3,000)
Leah transitioned from a failing student at Saint Peter High School-- a victim and afraid--to graduating a year early at Minnesota New Country School—proud, strong and in charge of her own destiny. Leah was selected to be a member of the GLSEN Jump Start National Student Leadership Team and the Gender Advocacy Coalition. Her GLSEN manager says Lea is “a stalwart activist for LGBT youth and women, an excellent student and she throws a brilliant light upon her path as she carries herself with humor, calmness and grace.” She testified before the Minnesota Senate in support of the Safe Schools for All Bill in March of 2009. Leah also was the lead media organizer for the Youth IMPACT of the National Equality March on Washington—with over 250 youth attending. Leah will use this scholarship to pursue a degree in psychology and women’s studies at St. Catherine University.
recipient Kathryn McAuley
Coleraine, Minn.
scholarship
Manahan-Bohan Rural Lesbian Award ($1,000) – permanently endowed fund
All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church Award ($500)
Community Award ($600)
Kathryn is currently a student at Itasca Community College in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. “Katy always shows enthusiasm and leadership in all her activities. She displays a zest for life and her career that predict success for this strong young woman,” says one professor. Kathryn joined the college’s GSA to help in her own coming out process, but soon became an active volunteer. From helping the group raise money for the Rural AIDS Actions Network to hosting a screening of “For the Bible Tells Me So,” Kathryn helps the group in all aspects of its work to support and raise visibility of LGBT students in Greater Minnesota. She also volunteers with the Grand Rapids Pride picnic and is especially proud of a project she is doing to explore the lives of rural lesbians and give voice to their stories. Kathryn’s next step is to obtain a degree in wild land firefighting followed by a degree in forestry.
recipient Gerald McCabe Blaine, Minn.
scholarship
Robert Hachey History and Legal Studies Memorial Award ($2,000)
Jerry is currently completing his master’s thesis in gender and women’s studies at Minnesota State University – Mankato. Jerry volunteers with several organizations in Minnesota including Quatrefoil Library, OutFront Minnesota and South Central Minnesota Pride. His work as a graduate assistant in the LGBT Center on campus has made him an asset to the campus. He helped plan the 2008 Minnesota OUT! Campus Conference, coordinated the peer advocates speakers panels and facilitated the coming-out group. According to Associate Professor Maria Bevacqua, “Jerry brings together a sharp intellect, a mind for civic responsibility and a passionate sense of advocacy for LGBT individuals, communities, and movements.” Jerry plans to enroll in the University of Saint Thomas School of Law in the fall with the belief that “pairing the knowledge earned at the undergraduate level with a law degree will enable me to best facilitate the tangible, meaningful change I desire to see for LGBT individuals in Minnesota.”
recipient Rachel Murr
West St. Paul, Minn.
scholarship
Wellness Award ($1,500) – permanently endowed fund
All God’s Children Metropolitan Community Church Award ($500)
Rachel graduated from North Dakota State University with honors and is now pursuing a Master of Social Work at St. Catherine University. Rachel has a leadership role in her church. Her pastor says she is committed to helping others through service and demonstrates a high degree of integrity, responsibility and ambition. As an active member of her church, she is committed to challenging their ideas and convictions about what is healthy and good as she comes out as a lesbian at church, and hopes to continue her leadership role. As a leader in a twelve-step recovery group through her church for the past three years, Rachel is passionate about addiction/recovery issues, trauma, and working within the LGBT community. She wants to continue in this work, coupled with her commitment to her faith ministry, as she continues her education.
recipient Roxanne Peyton
Minneapolis, Minn.
scholarship
Haynes-Hettinga African American or Native American Student Award ($2,000)
Roxanne is an excellent student at the University of St. Thomas/St. Catherine University where she is completing a Master of Social Work. She is also obtaining a certificate in holistic health at the University of Minnesota. She is a ten-year volunteer with Rainbow Families/Family Equality Council. She is especially proud of her work with that organization’s social justice committee and board of directors. Last year she worked with a group of local LGBT parents to bring nationally-recognized African American lesbian activist Mandy Carter to Minneapolis for a special event for LGBT parents of color. “Roxanne is an invaluable volunteer. She works to change hearts and minds by sharing her story as a parent in our communities,” says Stephanie Hazen of Rainbow Families. Roxanne was recently appointed to the Minneapolis Civil Rights Commission where she works to advocate for disenfranchised communities and serves as Guardian Ad Litem for youth in child protection. This scholarship will help her become an expert in holistic social work with LGBT and straight communities of color.
recipient Jaimeson Rossow Northfield, Minn.
scholarship
Dr. Tom Knabel Academic Achievement Award ($3,500)
Jaime Rossow is currently attending Northfield High School where she has a 3.9 GPA and is active in the school’s theatre and music programs. She has led her high school’s gay straight alliance for the last two years. Jaime was instrumental in bringing a social worker to her high school to make a presentation on creating safe schools. The event was incredibly popular and drew community members as well as staff from the school. This year she helped organize panels of LGBT people to speak in students’ health classes to provide opportunities to talk about sexual orientation. She has organized an event called “Ally Week” at her school for the past three years where students sign pledge cards to be allies and wear ribbons to show their support of LGBT people. Her social studies teacher shares, “Jaime is a reflective student dedicated to high academic achievement while working to provide a safe learning environment for all students.” Jamie hopes to pursue a degree in psychology.
recipient Tanner Schuh
Kelliher, Minn.
scholarship
RBC Wealth Management Award ($2,000)
Atheists for Human Rights Award ($500)
When Tanner came out, he was one of two out students at his high school in Kelliher, Minnesota. Tanner sought greater connection to LGBT communities. So he chose to take post-secondary classes at Bemidji State University and found just the community he was looking for. Tanner immediately got involved with The Phoenix, BSU’s gay-straight alliance. During his first semester, Tanner participated in the University’s National Coming Out Day events and shared his coming out story publicly. Tanner is an active member of his local 4-H chapter and his high school’s Knowledge Bowl team. One teacher remarked, “Tanner has the courage to pursue his dreams and has never been held back by fear of social disapproval in his community.” Tanner has a passion for history and literature and will work toward a teacher’s licensure in social studies.
recipient William Schwartz
Minneapolis, Minn.
scholarship
Gilligan-Pospisil Homelessness Award ($2,500)
While making excellent grades in his master’s program at Augsburg College, William is also an active volunteer with The Aliveness Project and leads a gay volleyball team he created. William believes in using his own stories of overcoming life’s obstacles to help others and “is an excellent role model for those experiencing homelessness or addiction,” writes one professor. He uses his story to serve as mentor, whether it’s through his leadership role in LGBT 12-step groups, or in his time volunteering with those affected by HIV/AIDS or homeless youth. His goal is to obtain a Master of Social Work and help young LGBT people, especially those experiencing homelessness or addiction, and spread his experience of hope, recovery and compassion.
recipient Samuel Soto
St. Paul, Minn.
scholarship
Miriam Weinstein Peace and Justice Award ($3,000)
Sam is an excellent student at St. Paul’s Central High School. Last year Sam and his friends came up with a way to address one of the hardest issues they had to deal with at school—people saying “that’s so gay.” They developed a play entitled “One in Ten,” to demonstrate the very negative effects of a number of situations LGBT students face within their schools and surrounding communities. They presented it in the school’s experimental theatre space, promoted it around school, and asked for donations to the Matthew Shepard foundation. They had nearly 100 attend and raised $170. Sam is a teaching assistant in his synagogue’s religious school and the youth representative on their board of trustees and social justice committee. Rabbi Latz says, “I consider him to be one of the top young people I have known in my 20 year career.” Sam is taking courses at the College of Visual Art in St. Paul and plans to attend an arts school in pursuit of a BFA in photography. He aspires to create images that speak to people on how far our LGBT communities have come both socially and politically.
recipient Nicholas Swenson
Brainerd, Minn.
scholarship
Meuwissen-Werb Leadership Award ($2,000) – permanently endowed fund
An excellent student, Nicholas is in his last year at the Perpich Center for Arts Education. Nick came out while attending Brainerd High School at a time when the gay-straight alliance was not active. Nick and fellow students reactivated the GSA and planned successful Day of Silence activities. Nick also helped develop a GSA guidebook that is being used by three schools in Minnesota. After reading a biography of Harvey Milk, Nick was inspired to make his leadership and activism political and helped to form the Brainerd Lakes Equality Coalition. Nick began his final year of high school at Perpich where he helped to reignite the school’s GSA and mobilized students to attend the Minnesota OUT! Campus Conference. He is currently coordinating the Equality Art Show at Perpich. Nick will attend the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities in the fall to double major in theatre and political science. He hopes to combine his passions for art and political activism to advance human rights for all.
recipient Vecky Thao
St. Paul, Minn.
scholarship
Community Award ($2,000)
Vecky is graduating from St. Paul’s Johnson High School where she is also a strong member of Admission Possible, the rigorous after school, college prep program for motivated, low-income students. Her coach says she is smart and is especially good at studying. Not only is she in Admission Possible, but she works after school to help take care of her 3 year-old son and her younger sister. She has had to deal with housing issues as her mother deserted the three of them. Vecky’s aunt is bisexual and her mother also taught her not to judge others. Vecky says she, “ wants to change the way Hmong elders view gay, lesbian, and transsexual people because they are the ones who tell the younger generation that liking your own sex is not right and a very wrong thing.” She was the only student to stand in support of same-sex marriage in a school debate. Vecky is hoping to study either fashion design or radiology.
Recipient
Sina Yi Minneapolis, Minn.
scholarship
Quorum Entrepreneurial Spirit Award ($5,000)
Sina is currently a student at the Arts Institute International Minnesota. Despite family challenges and the rigors of coming out while immigrating, Sina has been an active leader in local LGBT communities. She served as a community advisor in Lavender House, a LGBT living and learning community at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and was involved with the Outward Spiral Theatre Company. Sina is an active member of the Trans Youth Support Network and works to create safe environments for trans youth in Minneapolis. Sina works fulltime for Nordstrom and continues to support family members back in Cambodia. “Sina shows great accountability and serves as a role model to employees striving to improve performance,” says her manager at Nordstrom. “She is among the top five in our region and consistently exceeds expectations.” Sina is pursuing a degree in fashion retail management.
