Contact: Brent Minor
(703) 861-8135

LGBTQ SPORTS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR LOCAL LGBTQ STUDENT-ATHLETES

WASHINGTON, DC, March 24, 2022 — 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 2022 Team DC College Scholarship Program. In addition, Robert Norris Rigby will be awarded the 2022 Clark Ray Horizon Award that honors educators and coaches who support LGBTQ students.

“We are pleased to continue to recognize LGBTQ student-athletes and will award eight $2,000 scholarships at the annual Night of Champions Dinner on April 9, 2022. Each of these students has demonstrated leadership both in the classroom and on the athletic field and are truly deserving of this recognition.” 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 high schools in the greater Washington, DC region. Scholarship Co-Chair Charles Roth 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 college choice when known) are:

• Sophia Bailey, Washington-Liberty High School (VA), Vassar College
• Paloma Benach, Wilson High School, (DC), College TBD
• Ana Bonilla, E.L Haynes Charter School (MD), Catholic University
• Stuart Conrad, Alexandria High School (VA), College TBD
• N.K.* (VA), College TBD
• Natalie Romero-Marves, Justice High School (VA), Virginia Tech
• Susan Shobeiri, McLean High School (VA), Boston University
• Tori Tracey, Thurgood Marshall Academy (DC), College TBD

*Recipient wishes to remain anonymous.

The Clark Ray Horizon Award is named after the former executive director of the DC State Athletic Association who died in 2021 and was a passionate advocate for sports and youth. “It is so fitting that an award that recognizes educators and coaches who support LGBTQ student-athletes is named after Clark Ray. Few people worked as tirelessly as Clark in making sports a safe and welcoming place for all competitors.” said Team DC Executive Director, Brent Minor.

The 2022 Clark Ray Horizon Award will be given to Robert Norris Rigby, an educator with the Fairfax County Public School system for over 30 years. Rigby has been a passionate and vocal advocate for LGBTQ students. Scholarship Co-Chair Charles Roth added, “Robert Rigby understands and demonstrates through his actions why it is important to stand up for LGBTQ students and others who may feel marginalized. We are proud to support educators like him.” 

Team DC has now awarded 90 scholarships over the past twelve years totaling $128,000. Applications for the 2023 Scholarship Program will open on September 15, 2022.

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.