Ally to Queer Youth Award – Awardee:
Pam Sexton | Awardee
she/her/hers
Co-founder, Rainbow Defense Coalition of Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley | PVUSD Adult Education Instructor | Community Advocate
Pam Sexton helped organize the first Watsonville Pride in 2008 and has continued to remain active in supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth. Most recently, she co-founded the Rainbow Defense Coalition of Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley, which organizes community safety brigades to support events for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and other marginalized groups. Pam is active with Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) of Santa Cruz County, which works to assist white people responsibly joining multiracial movements for social/economic justice and liberation. As an ESL teacher with PVUSD’s Adult Education department, Pam is intentional about modeling inclusivity when teaching her students. She is known as a model for others of what a true ally looks like, acting with love, kindness and humility.
Ally to Queer Youth Award – Nominees:
Brian Hanaway | Nominee
he/him/his
Co-Coordinator, Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast- Fall 2023 | Co-Coordinator, Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Graduates- Spring 2023 | Facilitator, Rainbow Conference | Intern, Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County
Brian Hanaway is co-coordinator of the Queer, Trans, & Allied Student Summit of the Central Coast and co-coordinator of Celebration of LGBTQIA+ Graduates. As an intern with Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County, he also served as facilitator of its 2023 Rainbow Conference. With his support, the Understanding Gender Day of Workshops, Glitter Kids Camp, and the Student Summit were a great success. His organizational leadership was invaluable to connecting each of these for LGBTQIA2S+ students, their families, and allies. He also helped recruit and organize volunteers, managed event check-in, problem-solved challenges that arose during planning and on event day. Hundreds of youth and adults in three counties were served.
Cassie Blume | Nominee
she/her/hers
Parent | Co-organizer, Rainbow Glitter Kids at the Rainbow Conference | Co-Advisor, Gault School’s Rainbow Club
Cassie Blume is a leader advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ kids and families in Santa Cruz County. She saw a need for support for kids from LGBTQ families and for kids who are gender expansive. She collaborated with the Safe Schools Project and TransFamilies of Santa Cruz to create a specific track for elementary school kids and their families at the annual Safe Schools Project’s Rainbow Conference. Rainbow Glitter Kids began in Fall 2022 and is now in the planning stages for a third year in Fall 2024 with help from fellow parents and community leaders. Cassie also co-facilitates the Rainbow Club at Gault School. By creating and growing these inclusive spaces for young LGBTQIA2S+ and ally students, Cassie is paving the way for all students to find community and thrive.
Cybele Lolley, LMFT | Nominee
she/her/hers & they/them/theirs
Clinical Program Director, The Diversity Center
Cybele Lolley is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and the Clinical Program Director at The Diversity Center. She has emerged as an important leader in increasing health equity for LGBTQIA2S+ youth and families. Over the last year, Cybele has provided mental health services at The Diversity Center at no cost. Additional venues for her services are the Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, area schools, and to many people virtually. She leads wellness sessions for multiple youth groups and has served as a clinical supervisor to two clinicians-in-training, which ramped up available resources to serve more LGBTQIA2S+ families and kids. She has been a strong advocate for gender-neutral bathrooms at schools and provided Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) training for numerous school administrators and staff at youth-serving organizations.
Devon Lincoln | Nominee
she/her/hers
Advisor, Trans Non-Binary Student Union (TNBSU) of Pacific Collegiate School (PCS)
Devon Lincoln supports the LGBTQIA2S+ community as an advisor for the Trans Non-Binary Student Union (TNBSU) at Pacific Collegiate School (PCS). After hearing her students talk about their fears and concerns about anti-trans legislation nationwide, she encouraged them to educate their peers, teachers, and the board about what’s happening. Given her 18-year-long career in education law, she advised students as they prepared a resolution that sought to uphold LGBTQIA2S+ rights and actively push back on transphobic legislation if it emerged in the local community. Devon is openly supportive of the student union amongst her peers and colleagues and continues her work to increase the visibility of queer and trans youth at PCS and in the community.
Katie Kriscunas | Nominee
she/her/hers
Principal, Lakeview Middle School (LMS) and Pajaro Middle School (PMS)
As the new principal of Lakeview Middle School (LMS) and Pajaro Middle School (PMS), and former assistant principal at Aptos High School, Katie has been a leader in PVUSD for supporting and advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ youth. She is an active member of the district’s LGBTQ Task Force and led the Aptos High LGBTQ Task Force while she was assistant principal there. Once becoming Lakeview’s principal, she was faced with the extra challenge of simultaneously serving as principal for PMS after their students and staff were displaced from flooding in Watsonville caused by storms and the Pajaro River levee break. Katie connected both schools’ GSA clubs to provide more support for LGBTQIA2S+ students. She also served as a panelist at the recent Understanding Gender Summit, where she spoke about the importance of supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth.
Lisa Gutiérrez Wang, phD | Nominee
she/her/hers
Director, Children’s Behavioral Health, Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency
Lisa Gutiérrez Wang, PhD, is the Director of Children’s Behavioral Health at Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency and a new Board Member of The Diversity Center. She has been described as a team player and gifted leader with a long history of working to help youth countywide and statewide. At the start of the pandemic, she was instrumental in helping Santa Cruz County’s LGBTQIA2S+ youth receive the support they needed. She brought together all youth-serving agencies in the county to meet monthly and experts to help agencies learn about how to support struggling youth during this time. The group she formed continues to meet. As a result of Lisa’s efforts, the Safe Schools Project of Santa Cruz County was able to streamline the time it took for LGBTQIA2S+ youth to receive help from county agencies.
Meggie Pina | Nominee
she/her/hers
Senior Manager of Well-Being Programs, The Diversity Center
Meggie Pina has transformed The Diversity Center’s youth program with a steady vision and new programming. She quadrupled youth offerings and is said to have infused them with creativity and joy. Meggie has facilitated support groups for youth in Santa Cruz and Watsonville and events such as CampOUT and Queer Youth Prom, and imagined new youth adventure groups such as Prismatic, Rainbow Garden Club, and Cats in Space on Skates for middle schoolers. Meggie has co-created LGBTQIA2S+ events with numerous local organizations and rebuilt the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) training and Triangle Speakers programs that offer LGBTQIA2S+ knowledge for school staff and youth-serving organizations. After the pandemic, she rebuilt relationships with GSA/QSAs and their advisors. She maintains contact with more than 20 of these clubs.
Melissa Walpole | Nominee
she/her/ hers
Librarian, Scotts Valley High School
Melissa Walpole runs the library at Scotts Valley High School and has made it a true oasis for all, including LGBTQIA2S+ students. She ensures the queer youth community is well-represented by staying informed about books with positive LGBTQIA2S+ representation, asking for book donations, and hosting a monthly LGBTQIA2S+ student book club. As a trusted adult and steadfast ally, she also provides discrete access to books for those in need. Melissa has turned the school library into a colorful place of celebration with an abundance of LGBTQIA2S+ books and pride month posters. In compliance with California state law, and because of her motivation to support her students, she has turned the school library into an inclusive, safe, and supportive space for everyone.
Rhiannon Soto | Nominee
she/her/hers
Social-Emotional Counselor, Branciforte Middle School Muskequeer Club Advisor
Rhiannon Soto is a Social-Emotional Counselor and Muskequeer Club advisor at Branciforte Middle School. When she noticed challenges at school for LGBTQIA2S+ students, she put together a rally that was open to all students as a forum for discussion. She then requested bystander intervention training, which The Diversity Center provided, to help students learn how to disrupt hate and bullying. Rhiannon organizes highly visible GSA activities such as parades through the school and often holds club meetings outside to encourage more students to join. The Muskequeer Club is well-attended with as many as 30-35 students participating regularly. Rhiannon’s allyship includes working with school administration to bring more support to students – particularly in helping with the correct use of pronouns and students being called by their names.
Sara Homan | Nominee
she/her/hers
Co-Founder, Rainbow Kids Circle
Sara Homan co-founded Rainbow Kids Circle in 2024 in collaboration with The Diversity Center and TransFamilies of Santa Cruz County to support elementary age children through a monthly structured playgroup in which they meet other LGBTQIA2S+ kids, feel safe and affirmed, and have fun. As a volunteer lead facilitator, she makes sure the group provides an opportunity for parents to form supportive connections with one another, though they also can join in the crafts and play with their children. Sara volunteered to lead an activity at last year’s Glitter Kids Camp and has led a personalized clothing decorating workshop for the Queer, Trans, and Allied Student Summit multiple times. Additionally, Sara volunteers with the Rainbow Defense Brigade and Diversity Center youth events such as Queer Prom.
Savannah Wohlstattar | Nominee
she/her/hers
English Teacher, Scotts Valley High School | Advisor, Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club (SAGA)
Savannah Wohlstattar is an English teacher and advisor to the Sexuality and Gender Alliance Club at Scotts Valley High School. Known as “Ms. W,” she is a steadfast supporter of LGBTQIA2S+. Outside of school, Savannah actively organizes opportunities for students to attend conferences and various LGBTQIA2S+ events. She is described as providing one of the most inclusive spaces on campus. This year, Savannah is helping to plan the 2024 Queer Youth Leadership Awards taking place on campus, and works many hours beyond her contract time to make sure the event will celebrate not only her students, but students across the county. Her commitment to fostering a sense of belonging for everyone is shown in her words and actions, as she strives to help every student feel valued and seen.
Zak Keith | Nominee
they/them/theirs
PhD Candidate, Queer Youth Culture, University of California at Santa Cruz | Peer Group Facilitator, The Diversity Center
Zak Keith is an ally and inspiration for LGBTQIA2S+ youth in Santa Cruz County. They performed at Queer Prom, hosted Drag Bingo at The Diversity Center, and served as a camp counselor during the Center’s Camp OUT. They have also helped rebuild the Center’s youth programs, especially those for transgender and non-binary youth. They facilitate a monthly gender diverse support group called Genderventures for youth ages 11 to 18 years old. Through group discussion and themed, creative experiential activities, youth explore gender and relationships and collaborate to express and celebrate their unique identities through art. Zak is said to have demystified the journey of non-binary identity by creating groups like Genderventures. They have also volunteered and worked with many community organizations to help them collectively advocate for youth.
