SAN DIEGO – On behalf of PFLAG San Diego County (PFLAG SDC) and the San Diego Human Dignity Foundation (SDHDF), the La Pietra Foundation have announced the second annual “Launching Leaders Luncheon” a reception and fundraiser for the PFLAG SDC Scholarship Fund, will be held at the McMillin Event Center at Liberty Station Friday, May 13 from 11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. Scholarship awards will be presented to the recipients by San Diego LGBT community leaders, allies and scholarship funders as the LGBT scholars are celebrated.
“The challenge to achieve academic excellence is a big one for young people. But to achieve academic excellence while living openly as LGBT is simply remarkable.” says presenting sponsor Eugene La Pietra, founder of the La Pietra Foundation. “On behalf of my family I am proud to support PFLAG’s Launching Leaders Luncheon and congratulate all the scholarship recipients.”
PFLAG SDC’s rich history of providing this scholarship support began in 1998, since which they have awarded over $130,000 to deserving LGBT scholars. SDHDF is excited to continue this collaboration, which raised nearly $6,000 in its inaugural year and gave scholarship winners an opportunity to speak about their experiences.
The scholarship awardees recognized during this event continues to increase, including recipients of scholarships funded through former and current PFLAG members, the Rob Benzon Foundation, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, and the Imperial Court de San Diego, among others. The scholarships are awarded to LGBT high school seniors continuing on to higher education or full-time undergraduate and graduate students through a competitive application and essay process. The scholarship committee selects recipients based on commitment to their chosen field, financial need and academic achievement.
Even in 2016, studies show that LGBT students are at twice the risk for not completing high school or continuing their education when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Through efforts like this, future generations of LGBT leaders are encouraged to claim their place in colleges and universities across the country. Sponsorship, table and ticket sales help sustain the fund, and there are new private donors stepping up to the plate, to join foundations and organizations to support scholars. One example is Randi Dropkin who, after attending last year’s event, worked with her wife Phyllis and their friends to fund a “Leadership Sponsorship” for 2016.
“Last year after attending the PFLAG Scholarship luncheon, I was impressed with the caliber of students awarded. I realized then that I wanted to be part of the solution for those LGBT students who have faced extra hurdles in their lives. Education is paramount, I’m proud to be one of the donors this year”, Randi explained.
2016 sponsors include:
- Presenting Sponsor: La Pietra Foundation
- Leadership Sponsor: Scholarshare
- Awardee Sponsors: Imperial Court de San Diego, Randi Dropkin & Phyllis Charlton (and friends)
- Scholarship Sponsors: PFLAG San Diego, San Diego Human Dignity Foundation, and Rob Benzon Foundation
- Table Sponsors: Drew Jack & Peggy Walkush, Mary Cruz & Joselyn Harris, Mary Stockton, San Diego LGBT Pride, San Diego LGBT Center, North County LGBTQ Center, Dr. Daniel Lee at UCSD, International Student Exchange, and American Eagle Bookkeeping and Consulting
- In-Kind Sponsors: The Welty Group, Scatena Daniels Communications, Gay San Diego, LGBT Weekly, and Mance Creative
Please join the event this year to celebrate the future of our LGBT scholars and support future scholars! Individual tickets are $60, with tables of eight available for $400, both of which may be purchased online at http://pflag.sdhdf.org. Do you belong to a company that might want to be sponsor, which will allow recipient’s family members and school leaders to join them as they receive their award? Contact Ian Morton at ian@sdhdf.org or 858-255-1274 for our sponsorship levels.
