The Salisbury-Rowan chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and the Scholarships Advisory Committee are pleased to announce that it has awarded four $1,000 scholarships for academic year 2011-12.
The Scholarships Advisory Committee members are Chairperson Carol Williams-Swoope, Todd Adrian, Elizabeth Boltz, Michael Clawson, Dr. Mary Frances Edens and Merry Overholser.
The winners of the 2011-2012 scholarships are:
• The Anne Stanback- Charlotte Kinlock Scholarship, named in honor of Salisbury native Anne Stanback, and her wife, Charlotte Kinlock has been awarded to Sunny Phillips. Sunny is a senior at West Rowan High School and will be attending UNC-Greensboro, studying anthropology. Sunny is the son of Gary Phillips and Debbie Lineberry of Salisbury.
• The Founder’s Equality Scholarship, named in honor of chapter founder Michael Clawson is awarded specifically to a straight ally student who exemplifies the characteristics of acceptance and inclusion and is awarded to Levi T. Huffman. Levi is a senior at East Rowan High School and will be attending UNC-Chapel Hill, majoring in chemistry. Levi is the son of Eric and Emily Huffman of Salisbury.
• The Linda Ketner Community Service Scholarship, named in honor of Salisbury native Linda Ketner, has been awarded to Emma F. Post. Emma is a senior at Salisbury High School and will be attending Warren-Wilson College in Asheville majoring in women’s studies. Emma is the daughter of Sam and Alicia Post of Salisbury.
• The Bob Page-Dale Frederiksen Business Scholarship, named in honor of Bob Page, Founder and CEO of Replacements, Inc. of Greensboro, and his life partner, Dale Frederiksen, has been awarded to C. Ryan Bostian. Ryan is a senior at Jesse C. Carson High School and will be attending UNC-Greensboro, studying French and international business. Ryan is the son of William and Michelle Bostian of Rockwell.
PFLAG is the nation’s foremost family-based organization committed to the civil and social rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. Founded in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 250,000 members in nearly 600 chapters throughout the United States, including 20 chapters in North Carolina.
The local chapter was founded in 2006, and in 2008, the chapter established its scholarship foundation and awarded the chapter’s first two scholarships. Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG was the first organization in North Carolina to award scholarships exclusively to GLBT students and/or their straight allies.
“Uniquely, Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG’s scholarships may be awarded to any public, private or home schooled high school senior continuing his or her education at any accredited trade school, community college or traditional four year college or university”, said Michael Clawson, chapter President.
“Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG is proud to support these articulate, accomplished scholars with great promise for future contribution to our society in general and to the cause of rights and recognition for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in particular”, said Carol Williams-Swoope, chairperson of the Scholarships Advisory Committee. “Our sincere thanks go to all of our many benefactors who consider this an important cause and whose generosity makes these scholarships possible. Because of the wonderful response to the program and with the continued success of our scholarship fundraiser, The Autumn Soirée, Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG has awarded twelve (12) $1,000 scholarships over the last four years. That’s an accomplishment to be proud of.” added Williams-Swoope.
For more information on Salisbury/ Rowan PFLAG and the chapter’s scholarship program, please go to www.salisbury-pflag.org.