Elsie Frank Scholarship Recipients

2009
Elizabeth Bender, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. Liz is a common sight at rallies and protests in Massachusetts. She is well on her way to her goal of becoming a “conscientious global citizen.”

Jackson Davidow, Newton North High School. Jackson’s “writing has allowed [him] to embrace [his] voice as a force for change,” and the impact is already being felt. 

Andrew Korstvedt, The Bromfield School in Harvard. His “goal is not merely to achieve, but to grow through achievement.”  Andrew discovered his responsibility to “represent the gay community as the diverse patchwork of identities it truly is” both at home and abroad.

Lena Amick, Amherst Regional High School. Lena has helped “unite LGBT students and allies from other local schools” by organizing an event that allowed many GSA’s in the area to meet, network, share ideas, and create an “inspired connection.” 

Eric Kimball, Manchester Essex Regional High School. As a straight ally, Eric has distinguished himself as a “pioneer for gay rights. . .with phenomenal fortitude and integrity.”

Amanda Mikulski, Millbury Memorial Jr/Sr High School. Amanda’s “greatest act of bravery and maturity” came while delivering an award-winning speech on How has modern media affected our lives?  Amanda’s coming out as part of the speech “was truly inspiring and solidified her role as a consummate leader amongst her peers.” 

Zoë Peters, home-schooled student from Jamaica Plain. Zoë wants to help people “to not just own but also to celebrate their sexuality, to break down barriers and improve everyone’s lives in the process.”


2008
Erwin Mo, South High Community School in Worcester. Erwin has found a place where she can “break patterns [and has] earned respect and has fought for her rights” as a transsexual.

Meredith Nicholson, Brookline High School. Meredith is “determined to advocate for the right of all people to openly identify with the sexual orientation or gender identity that accurately reflects their sense of self.”

Edmund Hu, Malden High School. Edmund initially struggled with acceptance from his traditional Chinese family, which led to difficulties with self-esteem, depression, and suicide.  However, once he joined the GSA, Edmund became an advocate for other students like himself.  As a role model within his school, Edmund has become, in his words, a “strange underworld hero to Asian-American and gay students.”

Richard Kelley, Danvers High School. Richard’s GSA advisor commends him for “going above and beyond the expectations of any student,” and continues by stating that she has “yet to meet another student as dedicated as Richard.” 

Sebastian Urrea, Leominster High School. When Sebastian recognized that he was gay, “I gave myself a very hard time about it for months, and became very depressed, suicidal even.” After coming out to his mom and dad and receiving their support, he flourished. “Now, I am openly gay, and proud of who I am.”

Amanda Blackstone, Millville Regional High School.  When someone yelled, “faggot” as she walked to the stage, no one said or did anything. After that horrific moment, she spoke about the incident in a “School Climate Meeting”. She said, “… half the issue with intolerance in the school are the teachers, and if they can’t find it in themselves to be leaders, then what are we, as students, supposed to do?”


2007
Alex Morse, Holyoke High School. Alex is committed to using his voice for positive change today and in the future.

Christopher Bynes, Codman Academy Charter Public School in Dorchester. As the first student to come out at his school, Christopher has a unique perspective on diversity and understanding.

Ryan Gorski, Sabis International Charter School in Springfield.  After coming out, Ryan quickly grew into, what he calls, an “individual activist.”  That is, he prides himself on not simply attending protests and demonstrations, but on working every day to speak out and fight for equality. 

Elliot Holloway, Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield. Though acceptance can be hard to find, he is proud of his status as a trans male and dedicated to work for that community.

Samantha Sass, Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge.  Sammy is willing to stand up to a challenge and fight for what she believes in.


2006
Kevin Teague, Landmark School in Prides Crossing. “I feel that I am doing what is natural and what feels right. I feel that I have made a positive impact and have come one step closer to having LGBT people respected and accepted as equals.”

Huy Quoc Ngo, North Andover High School. “I know I’m a better person now because I’m being true to myself….. Being a gay youth has only made life more memorable.”


2005
Jessica-Kate Ogungbadero, Jamaica Plain
Johanna McLellan, South Hadley

 
2004
Tiana Veldwisch, Belmont
Darren Gallant, Hamilton-Wenham

 
2003
Paige Kruza, Franklin
Andrew Yates, Newton

 
2002
Hannah Zipple, Somerville
Richard (Chad) Newman, Peabody

 
2001
Jason Lydon, Kingston
 
 
2000
Alex Cole, Arlington
Nathan Weiner, Brockton

 
1999
Abigail Machson-Carter, Newton
Catherine (Katie) Cunningham, Hudson

 
1998
Eric Balas, Cambridge
Carolyn Bloomberg, Lexington