APRIL 3, 1998 GAY PEOPle's ChroNICLE
13
COMMUNITY GROUPS
Scholarship and essay contest honors Robbie Kirkland
by Doreen Cudnik
Cleveland-The Cleveland chapter of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network recently announced the establishment of a $1,000 annual scholarship fund to help area gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
No More: Taking a Stand Against Harassment." Applicants are asked to write 500 words or less "about a time when you stood up to the harassment of yourself or someone else."
Fifty dollars will be awarded to the best 250 words or less essay written by a junior high or middle school student, grades 6 to 8, about "a time you wanted or dreamed of
GLSEN
The mission of GLSEN is to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of their sexual orientation. The group also announced an essay contest for grade levels 4 through 12.
Both the Robbie Kirkland Scholarship and the Robbie Kirkland Essay Contest are named in memory of a fourteen-yearold high school freshman who took his own life on January 2 of last year.
Robbie struggled with his sexual orientation and the external pressure from school, religion, and society. So that others will not have to suffer in silence, this scholarship is offered as a testament of hope for positive change and affirms the respect for all people regardless of their sexual orientation.
It is the intention of GLSEN Cleveland to affirm gay, bisexual and transgendered youth and to thank straight allies for their understanding, compassion, and support with this scholarship.
The essay contest was named for Robbie because, during his life, he valued writing for self expression as he searched for evidence of acceptance of diversity in himself and his peers.
One hundred dollars will be awarded to a high school student, grades 9 to 12, who writes the best essay on the theme “Silent
standing up to the insensitivity of a peer. How did it feel? How did others respond?"
Another fifty dollars will be awarded to a fourth or fifth grade elementary school student who writes the best 150 words or less essay “about a time when you did or dreamed about speaking out against a bully at your school." The $1,000 scholarship is available to any gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered student, or straight student who actively supports the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community.
Applicants must be a resident of northeast Ohio between the ages of 16 and 21 as of May 15, 1998, planning to attend an institution of post-secondary education during the following year, or already attending any accredited post-secondary institution. (This includes any accredited G.E.D. program, trade or technical college, college or university.)
Robbie's mother, Leslie Sadasivan, said that her family is very touched that GLSEN chose to establish the scholarship and essay contest in her son's memory, and hopes that both projects will "send a message of hope and affirmation to other gay youth, especially those in the schools."
"We don't wish to glamorize [Robbie's] suicide," Sadasivan added, “but we think
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it's wonderful that the GLSEN scholarship and essay contest recognizes the pain, and feelings of isolation, alienation and rejection felt by so many gay youth. We are very touched that GLSEN is doing this for Robbie-and for all the other gay kids out there who are suffering in silence."
Applicants for the scholarship will be judged on their affirmation of their gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered identity or their support of the GLBT community; demonstration of integrity and honesty; participation and leadership in community activities; and a demonstration of
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determination to achieve their goals.
Scholarship applications are available on the GLSEN-Cleveland web site, www.geocities.com/West Hollywood/ 9600/, or through the Cleveland Lesbian and Gay Center at 1418 West 29th Street. Applications and all supporting material, as well as essay contest entries, must be postmarked by May 15. Send all application material to: GLSEN Cleveland, attn. Robbie Kirkland Scholarship Committee (or Essay Contest), P.O. Box 433, Berea, Ohio 44017.
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