We are delighted to announce the recipients of the 2024 LEAGUE Foundation scholarship grants, we wish them every success as they start their new academic careers. Learn more about the winners:
Akiko Kono (IA): Matthew Shepard Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)
Attending Georgetown this year has been a dream since elementary school, and Akiko is so excited to spend the next 4 years working towards a major in Science, Technology, and International Affairs. Akiko reflects "The Queer community has been an inspiring force throughout my adolescence, and I hope that someday I can use my education to give back".
Parker Mawer (OR): Laurel Hester Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)
Parker is headed to Oregon State University this year. They will major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. This scholarship will support an education to become a medical researcher. In the future, there is hope to find new solutions to long-standing medical problems, advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion throughout.
Myles Chapman (CO): Frank Duracher Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)
These scholarship funds will help Myles to afford his education at Morehouse College. Morehouse is a historically Black college in Atlanta having notable alumni like Martin Luther King. Morehouse has always been his dream school, so he is thankful to be a scholarship recipient.
Allura Jules (TX): Tyler Clementi Memorial Scholarship ($3,000)
Allura will be attending Pace University with a focus in the cognitive sciences. She has always been interested in how the intersections of our identities influence our growth. Allura can’t wait for the opportunity to dive deeper into her thanks to the scholarship!
Brian Garrabrant (NJ): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Brian will attend Georgetown University majoring in Political Economy and Biochemistry. He plans to attend law school and work as a patent attorney while continuing his dedication to public service. Brian envisions a future where he can leverage the power of law and politics to advocate for justice.
Elliot Martin (IA): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Elliot will be attending Hamline University to pursue a degree in forensic science. His dream is to work in law enforcement with the goal of helping victims of crimes, as well as their friends and families, especially when it comes to hate crimes. It is his hope to help diminish homophobia and transphobia within these systems, and continue the push for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.
Ian Frankel (MN): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Ian is an undergraduate student at MIT majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and minoring in Public Policy. They hope to bridge the gap between the technical world and the world of humanities, making both more inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ students.
Maia Flores (TX): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Maia will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to receive a degree in Advertising. With their degree, they plan to uplift and encourage LGBTQ+ and minority voices in the media, ensuring positive and accurate representation of marginalized communities in order to inspire future generations. With their voice, Maia wants LGBTQ+ youth to know that they can be unapologetically themselves while still achieving remarkable things. 
Quin Buhs (CA): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Quin has congenital myasthenia syndrome which causes various difficulties such as excessive fatigue, learning disabilities and sleep apnea. Autism and ADHD contribute to fatigue, as well. He carefully balances daily activities and has to rest more than his peers. The scholarship funds will enable a focus on academics and community activism.
Sam Saunders (CA): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
As a legal studies major, Sam hopes to focus on the US criminal justice system and look deeply at how it affects minorities throughout the country and what can be done to change it.
Shrey Raju (CA): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Shrey will be attending the University of Pennsylvania on a pre-law track this fall. As an aspiring lawyer and human rights advocate, he hopes to continue exploring queer theory, law, and economics during undergrad through various electives and majors.
Sierra Mason (CA): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
Sierra will be using her scholarship funds to pay for classes, books, and other student fees at Crafton Hills College, as she works towards transferring to a four year university. She is pursuing an Associate in Arts for Transfer in communication studies and considering earning one in political science as well. This scholarship will allow her to explore possible internships and extracurricular activities by taking the pressure off of working to pay for the college education.
Xander Black (CA): LEAGUE Foundation Scholarship ($2,000)
This scholarship will help send Xander to his first year at UC Santa Cruz studying microbiology. He intends getting an undergraduate degree, and then going into Pharmaceutical research. This will bring more diversity to the scientific field, as a transgender man. He is so grateful for the opportunity to be a spearhead for the transgender community, in not only the scientific field, but the realm of higher education as a whole. His goals are to bring awareness and representation to the pharmaceutical industry, while also making scientific advancements that will help someone medically in the future.
Please join us in congratulating our grant recipients and sending all our best wishes for the upcoming year!