Congratulations to Western’s 2018 Pride Foundation Scholars

Western is proud of our  students who received Pride Foundation scholarships this year.  On December 3, we were joined by Eden Shore from the Pride Foundation to celebrate Bradlee Thielen, Jonathan Soren Davidson, and Emily Forrette, Western’s 2018 Pride Foundation Scholars.  You can read more about Bradlee, Jonathan and Emily below.

The Pride Foundation awards scholarships to students pursuing post-secondary education who are residents of the Northwest and who demonstrate leadership in LGBTQ+ communities or in their fields of study.  The application period for scholarships for the 2019-2020 academic year is now opened, and applications are due by January 11th.  To learn more about applying for Pride Foundation scholarships, visit the Pride Foundation website.

Recognizing Western’s 2018 Pride Foundation Scholars

Pride Foundation Scholarship Reception

 

Students, staff, and faculty at the Pride Foundation Scholarship Reception

Jonathan Soren Davidson:  During their time at Western, Jonathan Soren Davidson has received the Equal Access and Opportunity, Thelma Fisher Dewitty, and Political Leadership Scholarships from the Pride Foundation. Each scholarship is awarded to students who have demonstrated leadership in their communities, and shown a commitment to improving the lives of LGBTQ people. Jonathan has worked in positions of advocacy since high school, where they were an active board member of their GSA. Now, they help lead the Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) group on campus, and are working towards creating spaces where LGBTQ people of color can celebrate their existence.

Emily Forrette:  Emily Forrette was awarded the Kathy Spadoni Memorial Pride Scholarship in 2017 for her work with LGBTQ+ youth in her home town of Vancouver, Washington. Emily founded her high schools gay-straight alliance, Tolerance Club. This club covered a variety of social justice issues such as homo/transphobia, ableism, racism, privilege, and more with the intent to teach those who want to learn, connect those in need to support and resources, and provide a safe space for students without the need to out themselves. Emily was later recognized as WSU Vancouver’s 2017 Woman of Distinction. She now works as a Resident Advisor in Buchanan Towers and serves on the Advisory Group to Western’s LGBTQ+ Director.

Bradlee Thielen:  Bradlee Thielen is a recipient of the Paul Arnold Memorial Scholarship from the Pride Foundation. He hopes to represent the queer community through visual communication and working with brands and companies dedicated to positively contributing to the LGBTQIA+ community. Bradlee is also a GSBA scholar, Western Alumni Scholar and an Adobe Design Semi-Finalist. One of his goals by the end of the school year will be to create a curated alphabetical anthology of queer history to be easily accessed by anybody from anywhere. Bradlee hopes to one day form a queer art collective that can empower and inspire others through illustration, graphic design and community outreach.