Sandhills PRIDE, a support network and educational advocacy group dedicated to increasing awareness and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) community in the Sandhills region, announced they are accepting applications for its 2023 Sandhills PRIDE Scholarship Program. The scholarship is dedicated to assisting LGBTQ+ and allied students in furthering their educations to become successful, productive adults. The scholarship is funded by individual donations and Sandhills PRIDE fundraisers.
“The Sandhills PRIDE Scholarship program is our oldest program and celebrates remarkable young LGBTQ+ advocates right here in our area,” says Lauren Mathers, executive director of Sandhills PRIDE. “Our scholarship recipients have always been fierce in using their voices for equality. They represent the highest level of achievement in both their academic merits and their commitment to helping their community. They are our future leaders and a beacon of hope for our society.”
“This scholarship provides so many things for me and other current, previous and future awardees,” said Molli Cranford, in her acceptance speech for her $2,500 award at the 2022 scholarship reception. “For me, I have been shown that there is a path available for the LGBTQ+ youth in the world. I can see where I can see myself leading advocacy projects and events now. And being able to bring that advocacy and awareness to the world means so much.”
A total of up to $10,000 will be awarded in Sandhills PRIDE Scholarships in 2023. One $5,000 and two $2,500 scholarships will be available for students of any North Carolina accredited public or private high school in the following North Carolina counties: Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Montgomery, Richmond, and Scotland. Scholarship funds must be used for educational expenses. Awards will be distributed to the college, university, or technical institution upon receipt of a letter of acceptance and verification of enrollment.
Students can view the eligibility requirements and download a copy of the scholarship application on the Sandhills PRIDE website https://sandhillspride.org/scholarships/, or they can reach out to their school’s counselor or scholarship coordinator. A complete scholarship application package, including recommendations, must be received by Sandhills PRIDE’s Scholarship Committee either by mail, or by email to: [email protected] no later than March 18, 2023, at 11:59 p.m.
Sandhills Pride is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization located in Pinehurst. Many of its activities focus on parents and students, including the Sandhills PRIDE Scholarship, Safe Zone training, and both parent and youth support groups and activities.
Feature photo: 2022 winners Katelyn Ann Barr (left), Tristan Matthew Southerland, and Molli Crawford.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
