Maui Pride Scholarship Application Deadline Sept. 14

A scene from Maui Pride 2012. Photo courtesy Maui Pride.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui Pride is accepting applications for its 2015 scholarship awards.

Scholarships are awarded to Hawai‘i residents of all ages who are or will be attending a post-secondary school within 12 months of receiving the award. Qualifying educational institutions include community colleges, four-year colleges, universities or specialty trade schools.

Scholarship applicants must either identify as LGBTQ or have an LGBTQ community member as a parent.

“The mission of Maui Pride is not about teaching tolerance,” said Chuck Spence, vice president of Maui Pride and owner of the Maui Sunseeker LGBT Resort. “Instead, we work tirelessly toward achieving appreciation of all forms of diversity in society through education and enlightenment. What better way to accomplish this mission than through the Maui Pride scholarship program? It is the pinnacle of the work this organization does all year round.”

Funds for the scholarships are raised through Maui Pride events, including Pride Festival Weekend, the annual Lava Soiree and monthly Rainbow Dine-Out events. Funds are also raised via direct donations to Maui Pride, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Maui Pride, a relatively young organization, has awarded more than $21,000 in scholarships since the program’s inception. The scholarships are awarded based upon past, present and future work that benefits the education and acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

In addition, the Raja Shortell Memorial scholarship honors Shortell’s memory and commitment to working with troubled youths or and the culinary arts field.

Last year, the nonprofit awarded scholarships to five recipients, including Maui student/musician WenLu Duffy.

“The [scholarship] funds have helped me further my education at University of Hawai‘i Maui College, where I am taking prerequisite classes which will allow me to transfer to a four year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree in marine science or music performance,” Duffy said. “Aside from the scholarship fund, Maui Pride has helped me clarify my identity and successfully integrate into the LGBT community.”

Interested candidates can download the appropriate application forms online. The application submission deadline is Sept. 14. Scholarship applicants and recipients must agree to allow Maui Pride to use their name and photograph for newsletters, brochures, press releases and other presentation and promotional materials.

To support the Maui Pride Scholarship Fund, send a tax-deductible donations via check to Maui Pride at PO Box 1259, Pu‘unēnē, HI 96784. To donate via credit or debit card, go online.

Scholarship award winners will be announced on Oct. 3, 2015 at the Maui Pride Awards Gala, during Maui Pride Festival weekend.

Maui Pride Weekend kicks off Friday night, Oct. 2, with a film festival at Maui Sunseeker Resort in Kīhei. Additional Pride Weekend festivities include the Love is Love Dance Party on Oct. 2 at Kono’s on the Green; Maui Pride Community Festival on Oct. 3 at University of Hawai‘i Maui College; a Gala Awards dinner, concert and dance on Oct. 3 at Kahili Golf Club in Wailuku; and Maui Pride Sunday breakfast at Nalu’s in Kīhei.

For complete details and ticket information, go online.