For Immediate Release
May 15, 2020
Contact: Brent Minor
(703) 861-8135
LGBTQ SPORTS ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR LOCAL LGBTQ STUDENT-ATHLETES
WASHINGTON, DC, May 15, 2020 — Team DC, the Association of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) sports clubs in the greater Washington region, announced that eight individuals were named the recipients of the 2020 Team DC College Scholarship Program.
“We had another large pool of applicants from across the region and are pleased to award eight $2,000 scholarships representing the most ever given in one year. Each of these students have demonstrated impressive leadership in the classroom and on the athletic field. We could not be prouder to recognize their achievements.” said Rene Tiongquico, Co-Chair of the Team DC College Scholarship Committee.
Team DC College Scholarships are given annually to openly LGBTQ student-athletes from the greater Washington, DC region. Scholarship Co-Chair Kevin Minoli said, “Since the Scholarship Program was created in 2008, our goal has been not only to support openly out student-athletes, but to educate and foster discussions with coaches, educators, and other school administrators about the challenges facing LGBTQ athletes.”
This year’s scholarship recipients (with their high school and their expected college if known) include:
- Jhamy Carey, Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA / George Mason University
- Zoe Fay, Justice High School, Falls Church, VA / University of Vermont
- Antonio Hudson, McKinley Tech High School, Washington, DC / Wingate University
- Emily Lannen, South Lakes High School, Reston, VA / Carnegie-Mellon University
- Mykaela Marsh-Cobb, Dunbar High School, Washington, DC / Kutztown University
- Nina McCormack, Sidwell Friends School, Washington, DC / Harvard University
- Kaitlyn Turner, Rock Ridge High School, Ashburn, VA / College of William and Mary
- Phoebe Whaling, Wheaton High School, Wheaton, MD / University of Maryland
Team DC Board President Tommy Rossman added, “Despite the challenges presented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which required us to put our annual Night of Champions Awards Dinner when the scholarships are presented on hold, we felt it was important to maintain our commitment to help these young people as they begin their college careers. We are proud to support efforts like the Team DC College Scholarship program that make sports a safer and more welcoming place for all competitors.”
Scholarship Co-Chair Rene Tiongquico added, “We are also pleased to announce the first recipient of the Horizon Award which will be given annually to an educator or coach who has demonstrated support for the LGBTQ student-athlete. The inaugural award comes with a $500 cash prize and will be presented in 2021 to Mr. Robert Rigsby, a long-time educator and advocate with the Fairfax County School System.”
This year’s Scholarships and the Horizon Award will be presented at a date and time to be named later based on the ongoing pandemic restrictions. In addition, Champions Awards will be given to local LGBTQ sports leaders chosen from the 40 member clubs of Team DC. The 2020 winners include:
- Dre Khoury, Washington Furies Women’s Rugby Club
- Kevin Comerford, Rogue Cornhole
- Chris Miller, Capital Area Tennis Association
- Bill Horten, Adventuring
Team DC has now awarded 73 scholarships over the past twelve years totaling $94,000. Applications for the 2021 Scholarship Program will open on November 1, 2020.
More about Team DC, including information about how to apply for a scholarship, can be found at www.teamdc.org.
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Team DC is a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves as the association for the Washington metropolitan area’s LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) sport clubs. Their mission is to make sports a more welcoming and safer environment for LGBT participants through college scholarships and other activities that educate the community about the value of participation in sports for good mental and physical health. To learn more, go to www.teamdc.org.
