Nathaly Andrade

Nathaly Andrade is a first-gen, Latinx, bi-sexual student from the barrios of South Central Los Angeles. She was granted a full-ride scholarship to an all women’s historical institution, Wellesley College, where she studied her freshman year and will continue to do so with the aid of the Queens of the Castro Scholarship. From an early age, an ever-growing passion for activism was sparked in her, as she battled her family’s conservative values and beliefs. Throughout high school, she was a part of the LIBRA Academy FEM(inist) Club, LGBTQ Club, ASB, The Humanitarian Club, and more. Now in college, she volunteers at the Wellesley Women’s Center, is the head social chair of Wellesley’s PRIDE ORG, and part of the Latinx cultural group MEZCLA. She has big plans for the future, as she aspires to become a Women and Gender Studies teacher to help mold the younger generations into social justice warriors, LGBTQ allies, and feminists.

Alex Nguyen

Alex is a first-year student at UC Berkeley studying Material Science and Engineering. Aside from his passion for environmental justice that inspires his career choice, Alex is also motivated by his experience of growing up in Vietnam, which informs him of the underrepresentation of the queer communities in these smaller countries, not only within their own borders, but in the larger global discussion itself, and the emotional toll it takes on developing queer youths. For this cause, he developed the YOU Project, a website dedicated to the anonymous expression of queer identities and the continuing education of our history and discrimination in policies around the world. (www.youlgbtq.com) The project is young and Alex hopes to expand it further in the future, especially as he enters college in the fall. Receiving this scholarship is an honor and Alex is planning on putting it towards his tuition costs for next year.

Isabela Pendleton

Isabela is a queer woman, looking forward to studying Political Science at UCSD. She recently graduated from Apple Valley High School, where she found a love for both writing and LGBTQ+ activism. She plans to pursue a career in journalism and political activism. Isabela is grateful for the QOC scholarship, and will be using it towards her tuition and books to help fund her future.

Rie peredo

A San Jose local from day one, Rie Peredo is driven to be involved in the many communities they take part in. They are currently studying at SJSU in the Animation/Illustration program. As a queer, non-binary, Pacific Islander, Rie is passionate about using art to create diverse and impactful stories for everyone to see. This scholarship that they are grateful to receive will go right to tuition costs to keep studying possible.

Growing up gay in one of the most conservative states in the country, Garrett left Idaho for Los Angeles, intending to study Diplomacy & World Affairs at Occidental College. Now a sophomore, he plans on using the Queens of the Castro Scholarship to cover his tuition expenses as he continues his education remotely due to COVID-19. Garrett works as a writer and videographer for Occidental’s student newspaper in addition to interning at the Center for Digital Liberal Arts, assisting in the creation of virtual reality experiences intended for use in Occidental’s Spanish courses, creating video tutorials for faculty during remote learning, and producing video content for the Academic Commons.

Garrett is incredibly thankful for The Queens of the Castro Scholarship in these uncertain times. He believes in the power that storytelling has to change minds, and seeks to use his video and writing skills to tell stories that uplift and empower LGBTQ+ voices.

Lorraine sandoval

Lorraine is a bisexual, first-year student at Sonoma State University who grew up in American Canyon, CA. She previously held the office as President of her high school's LGBTQ+ Club and plans to continue with her activism on campus. She is majoring in English and minoring in Theatre Arts. Her long term goal is to be part of the theatre arts movement in New York as a playwright. To help achieve these goals, Lorraine plans to use the generous funds from the QOC to help pay for her tuition and other school fees.

elliott santiago

Elliott is a queer, nonbinary person who will be attending Alfred University for ceramic art. They will be using the funds from QOC to pay for their first semester tuition. They have been an active member in the LGBTQ community by being their high school's GSA president, attending annual LGBTQ youth conferences, and being a resource for younger LGBTQ people in their community. They are planning on becoming the president of Alfred's GSA in the coming years to continue advocating for LGBTQ rights and being a voice for those in the community who cannot.

2020 Grace towers Scholarship for the arts Recipients

Kellin Sproul

Kellin grew up in the San Francisco area and has lived here all his life. As an incoming freshman at Art Center College of Art and Design, he plans on dedicating these funds to developing short films surrounding topics of under-represented communities, from discrimination based on sexual orientation to the struggles of trying to find yourself in alignment with your gender identity. Kellin, identifying as a transgender/non-binary guy, feels it important to document and spread positive yet raw messages of emotion through the arts and is grateful to be given the opportunity to help contribute to a positive outlook on the LGBTQ+ community.

2020 QOC Scholarship Recipients