The Salisbury-Rowan chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), through its Scholarships Advisory Committee, has awarded six $1,000 scholarships for academic year 2014-2015. Committee members are Chairwoman Merry Overholser, Michael Clawson, Dr. Mary Frances Edens, Patricia Horner, Roger Hull, Brandon G. Major and Carol Williams-Swoope.
The Anne Stanback-Charlotte Kinlock Scholarship, named in honor of Salisbury native Anne Stanback and her wife Charlotte Kinlock, has been awarded to Ali C. Culp. She is a senior at North Rowan High School and serves as president of the North Rowan Gay-Straight Alliance. Culp will be attending Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and is the daughter of Kelli Culp and Doug Culp, both of Salisbury.
The Linda Ketner Community Service Scholarship, named in honor of Salisbury native Linda Ketner, has been awarded to Madeline A. Labovitz. She is a senior at Salisbury High School and will be attending Wofford College. Labovitz is the daughter of Seth and Diane Labovitz of Salisbury.
The Bob Page-Dale Frederiksen Scholarship, named in honor of Bob Page, founder and CEO of Replacements, Ltd. and his life partner, Dale Frederiksen, has been awarded to Sarah R. Odrosky. She is a senior at East Rowan High School and serves as president of the East Rowan Gay-Straight Alliance. Odrosky will be attending Appalachian State University and is the daughter of Gary and Donna Odrosky of Salisbury.
The Founder’s Equality Scholarship, named in honor of Salisbury-Rowan PFLAG founder Mike Clawson and awarded specifically to an outstanding straight ally, has been awarded to Katherine L. Grant. She is a senior at Salisbury High School and will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Grant is the daughter of Gordon and Holly Grant of Salisbury.
The Salisbury Pride-Scotty Ray Gilbert Scholarship, named in memory of Scotty Ray Gilbert, past board member of Salisbury Pride, Inc., has been awarded to Mollie T. Wynn. She is a senior at North Rowan High School and is a member of the North Rowan Gay-Straight Alliance. Wynn will be attending Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and is the daughter of Nathaniel and Kathy Boyd of Salisbury.
The Roger and Linda Hull Scholarship, awarded to a student active in their faith community, has been awarded to Katie M. Kepley. She is a senior at East Rowan High School and will be attending Meredith College. Kepley is the daughter of Richard and Leslie Kepley of Rockwell.
The local chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays 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 LGBT students and/or their straight allies.
Also, in keeping with the local chapter’s new tradition of choosing an exceptional advocate in our community, the Salisbury-Rowan Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Executive Committee has selected Emma R. Labovitz for the 2014 Bill Stanback Advocate of the Year award. Labovitz is a senior at Salisbury High School and she is the daughter of Seth and Diane Labovitz of Salisbury.
“Emma’s stalwart support has been demonstrated time and time again,” Carol Williams-Swoope, chapter vice president, said in a news release. “From canvassing neighborhoods during the effort to defeat Amendment One to writing letters to the editor, her support for the LGBT community is remarkable.”
This year’s scholarship recipients, as well as the advocate award winner will be honored at the Salisbury Pride celebration on June 21 in downtown Salisbury.