Ally to Queer Youth Award – Awardee:
MICHELLE BRANDT
Co-Facilitator, TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County
Michelle Brandt is the Co-Facilitator for Transfamilies of Santa Cruz County, a supportive parent, and a tireless ally to LGBTQ+ youth. Michelle often spends her weekends tabling at events to help support local families in understanding gender diversity so they are better able to support their gender expansive youth. In addition to advocating at events and supporting her own gender diverse child, Michelle has collaborated with the Safe Schools Project and Gender Spectrum to create several “Understanding Gender” adult summits to better reach local parents and families and educate them on gender. Michelle’s years of work and commitment to helping the families of trans and gender diverse kids have undoubtedly improved the lives of countless youths and made our communities stronger and our world better.
Ally to Queer Youth Award – Nominees:
DR. FARIS SABBAH
Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Faris Sabbah is the Superintendent for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, and has made equity a cornerstone of his work. Dr. Sabbah works to end discrimination based on race, sexual orientation, and gender identity in Santa Cruz County. Dr. Sabbah has implemented subcommittees to include queer youth safety as part of school safety plans and supported the development and implementation of the LGBTQ School Climate Index. He attends county LGBTQ Task Force meetings and local queer events like Pride, youth summits, and the Queer Youth Leadership Awards to show his support and affirm the importance of queer youth. There are few other educational leaders who have invested as much time professionally, personally, or financially for supporting queer youth and families across the county and the state.
MICHELE DELIBERT
Math Teacher, Sequoia High School
Michele Delibert is a math teacher at Sequoia High School and a strong advocate for queer youth. Michele identified the need for a GSA on the Sequoia campus and advocated for one for years. She has worked hard to ensure queer youth at Sequoia are visible and have opportunities. Michele has taken students on field trips, including to the Queer Youth Leadership Awards, and has provided support for trans youth in crisis by connecting them with resources and ensuring they stay connected to school. She is willing to have difficult conversations and call people out when using homophobic language, and she works to educate her students and colleagues on the importance of respecting pronouns. Michele has worked hard to provide LGBTQ+ students a safe place on the Sequoia School campus.
RYAN BOSSON
Spanish Teacher & QSA Advisor, Soquel High School
Ryan Bosson is a Spanish Teacher and QSA advisor at Soquel High School who has been credited with helping increase both club attendance and impact. When he took on the role of club advisor, Ryan had three objectives: promote QSA and increase attendance, provide structure, and increase visibility and impact on school culture. By many measures, Ryan has succeeded in all his objectives. Under Ryan’s guidance, Soquel’s QSA has doubled the number of events they participate in, has elected leaders and crafted a mission statement, and created an online forum to connect students with events such as National Coming Out Day, Back to School Night, and Open House. Ryan’s leadership, love, and support has helped Soquel QSA have a positive impact on their school campus.
SHANNON KELLY
Director of Upper School, Mount Madonna School
Shannon Kelly is the high school director at Mount Madonna School and she revived the school’s GSA this year after a period of inactivity. Under Shannon’s direction, Mount Madonna GSA has become active and now has student leaders and engaging meetings. The club has sponsored events such as Ally Week, which included inspiring videos of LGBTQ individuls being played at the beginning of the day throughout the classrooms, and Rainbow Spirit Days, where Shannon served rainbow sherbert in the quad for those who dressed in rainbows. Shannon helped bring the Triangle Speakers to Mount Madonna and organized discussion groups with the presenters to further educate the student community and continue to build an inclusive and safe school environment. Shannon has brought acceptance and enthusiasm to Mount Madonna School.
YVETTE CASTILLO
Watsonville High School Student
Yvette Castillo is a student at Watsonville High School and a quiet leader that defends others. Yvette has attended Coming Out Days at Watsonville High and was a leader in organizing the event this year. Yvette works to create awareness of the importance of embracing diversity and she is always open to learning about new ways to support the queer community. This school year Yvette served as one of the founding creators of the Wellness Center at Watsonville High. Yvette even came to the school during Christmas break and helped paint the room. Yvette also organized the grand opening of the Wellness Center in January 2020. The event introduced students and staff to the center’s goal of providing students with strategies to increase resiliency and overall wellness.
