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Youth Awardees:
Nikira Hernandez
Nikira is an active member in Santa Cruz High School's "Rainbow Alliance" GSA group. As a 10th grade student she has stepped naturally into a leadership role when former leaders graduated. She has recently led a school-wide event called the "Day of Silence." Nikira also addressed the school management team and, with several members of the alliance, participated in numerous presentations concerning homophobia to classes on her campus. Locally, Nikira is spearheading an effort to network the area high school GSAs. She is also a Triangle Speaker and is on the planning committee of the Queer Youth Camp. Recently, she participated in training for School Resource Officers. Regionally, she attends conferences in the Bay Area where she participated in a workshop entitled "Making Noise". On the national level, she served as a co-leader/team advisor collaborating with regional organizers for the National Day of Silence with the support of the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Her composure and confidence is extraordinary.
Marisol Lorenzana
Marisol influences her various communities (e.g., queer, Latina) in a truly unique manner. She is a self-described activist on a multitude of levels, integrating instead of isolating the different aspects of her identity. Marisol has always tried to integrate her race/ethnicity with being queer and female. It has been her intention to not allow the possibility of racism or heterosexism to pervade her life academically or socially. Her strength of character has garnered her the acceptance of providing others with the opportunity to come into contact with an academically and socially "successful" member of the queer and Latina communities. Marisol continues to serve as a role model for an underrepresented and often silenced population in the queer community: queers of color. Her presence as a role model and mentor in the UCSC Queers of Color organization has assisted in the retention of many students on the campus - making a significant difference in many lives. She is also involved with MECHA (movimiento estudantil chicano de atzlan), the Student Union Assembly (UCSC student government), Colors in Action, and unlabeled activist groups for promoting awareness among the student body on issues that are silenced. Marisol is a poet and uses her words to inspire: "i talk, and i cry/scream, and i'm present...i give awareness through my sincerity."
Kristen Sharpe
Kristen is an active member of the UCSC Queer community as Residential Assistant of the GLBT Theme floor at Merrill College. Some of her program efforts have included a program for National Coming Out Day called "I am." She has also organized programs on HIV prevention and safe sex workshops. Recently, she proposed, organized and secured the funding for twelve students to attend the UCLGBTIA Conference in Berkeley, titled "Queer All Directions." Originally from the San Diego area, Kristen continues to volunteer for the Youth Space at San Diego PRIDE for the past two years. She also spoke at a fundraising banquet to raise money for the Youth House, a queer youth community center in San Diego that will soon also serve as a year-round shelter for queer youth. Prior to her activism at UCSC, Kristen had co-founded her high school GSA at Mt. Carmel High School in San Diego. Currently, Kristen is majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology and plans on applying to medical school to become an OB/GYN. She is a strong and confident woman who has had to face conflict reconciling the influence of her Christian religious background with being a lesbian.
Kyle Wehrman
Upon entering his freshman year at Scotts Valley High School in the fall of 2001, Kyle decided to organize a Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) club at his school. Within a few months, he had gathered some friends, three supportive teachers and school administration approval for the GSA -- called Unity Through Diversity (UTD). The club, which now counts nearly 35 students as members, not only focuses on tolerance in sexual diversity, but also focuses on racial, religious, and many issues surrounding diversity. As President of UTD, Kyle brings his dedication, caring heart and goals to each weekly meeting where he is always looking for additional ways to contribute to his community. To date, Kyle has organized a Hate Free Community campaign, an AIDS Awareness Day, and is currently working on a large Respect Week project for his campus. As one of the first openly gay students in Scotts Valley schools, he has shown leadership to questioning youth by facing the reactions of those around him with dignity. Kyle is known by his peers as someone who has a wonderful personality, who sets his goal on making sure that diversity is celebrated, and that all youth and adults feel comfortable within their community. As one of his peers said, "Kyle is here to rock their world!"
Kevin West
Kevin organized last year's Transgendered March and Rally on National Coming Out Day in downtown Santa Cruz. Kevin is a transgendered 15-year-old FTM and wanted to put on a march to give visibility to the trans community. He developed an idea, found a few adults to give him guidance and a few volunteers to help out, arranged the necessary permits and funding, arranged for speakers, and publicized the event. People of all ages attended the event and clearly felt empowered. Kevin is a Triangle Speaker, and a member of SCOUT, Santa Cruz Trans, STRANGE and Proud Voices. He is out, open, and dealing with both youth and adults around his gender identity on a daily basis. Kevin demonstrates his ongoing leadership in the Queer community by his preparing to put on the Trans March again in 2002. Kevin is full of energy and is an astoundingly empowered young person who sees that there is work to do and will continue to step up to the plate.
Ally Awardees:
David Gonzalez
David has been creating safe spaces for queer youth since his high school days, continuing now as a UCSC graduate and Santa Cruz AIDS Project (SCAP) worker. David takes time in his busy schedule to go the extra mile in order to help struggling youth beyond just providing counseling and referrals, he also provides services for youth in desperate need of support. His commitment extends to the entire county of Santa Cruz - from San Lorenzo to the Pajaro Valley. Additionally, David has made the personal commitment to the Gay and Proud (GAP) group for youth at Salud Para La Gente by taking the time to ride public transportation many times to Watsonville from Santa Cruz to facilitate the GAP group. His call of duty goes beyond any barrier that he encounters. David has a smile for everyone. He is well-spoken, bilingual, bicultural, a queer man, a trend-setter and is well respected by the community at large. David is a positive role model; he doesn't fit the stereotypes, he breaks them.
Marcia Stein
Award winner, Marcia, as the Program Manager of Triangle Speakers, proudly displays her dedication to the county's queer youth by working to foster a safe environment in both schools and the greater community. The Triangle Speakers, a panelist group, addresses both venues for the purpse of education. Dur to Marci's tireless enthusiasm and energy, Triangle Speaker engagements continue to expand in number and diversity of audiences - changing lives. She continues to reach out to queer youth by proiding inter-generational panelists. Adding to these accomplishments, she goes beyond the call of duty by becoming intensely bonded with her speakers - often extending unending suport for the many volunteers involved with the program. She is a perfect example of one person making a difference.
Organization Awardee:
Equinox
Equinox, a project of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project, provides a safe place for queer youth to socialize, gather important health information and discuss topics of concern. This innovative program offers prevention and intervention through regularly scheduled activities at their downtown Santa Cruz location. Activities include support groups, outings, movie nights and HIV testing. One of their programs, Proud Voices, offers queer youth of all genders an opportunity for open dialogue where a wide range of topics can be discussed. All programs are free of charge. Learn more about this important organization at: www.equinoxsc.org
Youth Nominees:
Amanda Balesteri
Noah Brown
Tyler Corliss
Kelly Cruz
Brittany Dougan
Valerie Guerrero
Jody Hannibal
Thomas Loika
Nancy Martinez
T.C. Sorenson
Kristin Tosello
Greg Zhovreboff
Ally Nominees:
Carly Berdschensky
Carly, a dedicated employee of the Group Home Society, serves as a strong ally for queer youth. She stops homophobia in its tracks whenever she hears anti-queer slurs and explains the definition of transgender to youth and adults who need clarification. In her support of queer youth, she also offers transportation to events, and assists the in planning of youth led events such as The Trans March and the Queer Prom. In addition, Carly dedicates her time counseling queer and non-queer youth in times of crisis.
Bob Correa and Denny Carroll
Luis Juarez
Luis, a facilitator for Gay and Proud (GAP) at Salud Para La Gente, works with queer youth to create a safe place for open discussion in the Watsonville area. Luis' involvement with GAP ensures its continued success and offers the community a valuable resource. He also works with youth in creating artwork and various creative activities, as well as facilitating HIV testing and counseling for youth in the area. Additionally, he is also one of the outreach volunteers for the Queer Youth Awards.
Tami Kittle
Tamie, a Scotts Valley High School teacher, is one of the advisors to the newly formed Gay/Straight Alliance club at Scotts Valley High School "Unity Through Diversity" (UTD). In her support for UTD, she has gone out of her way to make sure the club gets the support and resources that it needs to exist. While she does all of this behind-the-scenes work, she is able to step back and make room for the student led club to evolve. Tami is respected by her students and community members alike.
Organization Nominees:
El Nuevo Arcoiris
El Nuevo Arcoiris, based at Salud Para La Gente in Watsonville, serves as a safe place for queer Spanish speaking young adults 18 and over. Only one year old, this organization has successfully created a close group of individuals working to support each other with health and social issues. Activities include discussion groups, dances and local community celebrations. This group meets every Thursday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Salud Para La Gente.
Queer TV
Soquel High School Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA)
Soquel GSA, a school-based club organized three years ago, continues to offer a good opportunity for youth to meet on a regular basis. This lunchtime club offers Soquel high school students a safe venue to discuss important topics and gather information on local queer youth events. The GSA has helped change the environment of Soquel High School and added awareness on this often 'invisible' issue. For more information, contact the GSA advisor at 429-3909 ext 118.
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