PFLAG San Diego, or Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the San Diego Chapter, honored five college students for their academic and personal achievements at the 11th annual scholarship awards.

The ceremony took place on May 18, at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, in Mission Valley. The scholarship committee awarded $7,500 to five students.

The recipients of the scholarships included high school and college students.

Olivia Dorman is the recording secretary for PFLAG San Diego and has been a part of the organization for 11 years. Along with her husband Clive, she organized the scholarship committee and the awards ceremony.

“Our goal is to recognize outstanding GLBT students, to showcase our students,” she said. “As parents, we’re so intent on their sexuality, we forget the fact that they’re wonderful people and fascinating individuals. We’re proud of them and want to show them off, and of course we want to help them with money. In these financial times any kind of help is important.”

Dorman emphasized the fact that the economy has affected the availability of PFLAG scholarships.

“Last year we gave seven. We had three who disappointed us and did not fund a scholarship [this year],” Dorman said, adding the Mac McWhorter Memorial Scholarship donation was a pleasant surprise.

“We had 17 applicants, but they were all brilliant. It was hard to choose,” Dorman said, adding that one of her sons is gay.

“It was extremely difficult but I had a lot of support and I was very fortunate. Our family was supportive and believe it or not I found support in my church. I came to realize this was a great blessing to me. It is a wonderful gift,” she beamed. Dorman said she was a high school teacher and loves working with students.

“I love doing the scholarships, although it’s a huge job. There are all these steps to get to this moment. I love young people,” she said.

Jennifer Ansbury, a student at SDSU, received $1,000 for the Mary Wagner Memorial Scholarship.

“The recognition and the honor is such a motivation and just to be around the other students is awesome and really inspirational,” Ansbury said. Ansbury also was recently awarded the Panetta Internship. “One student from each California State University campus gets chosen each year to go to Washington D.C. and intern for a member of the House of Representatives,” she said. Her internship in the nation’s capitol begins in the fall. Ansbury is working toward becoming a lawyer to fight for equal rights.

“PFLAG is awesome for doing this for everyone. It’s a really awesome organization,” Ansbury, who is from Torrance, Calif., said. Her grandmother is a member of PFLAG and her uncle is gay as well. This summer, Ansbury will study abroad in England at Oxford.

Josh Herron, a senior at Francis Parker School, received $2,000 for the Stephen G. Bowersox Memorial Scholarship.

“It’s a nice dent in the University of Pennsylvania tuition,” he said. “The Ivy League isn’t cheap.” Herron will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

“It’s going to take care of some of that. I’ve got $5,000 to raise,” Herron said. According to Herron, students of the University of Pennsylvania must pay for part of their education aside from what their parents pay.

Herron will major in history and sexuality studies and is working toward becoming a professor of sexuality studies. He has been the president of the Gay Straight Alliance at Francis Parker for the last three years.

“I don’t think [sexuality is] weighed as heavily as it should be in the admissions process,” he added. “I think [PFLAG Scholarships] are a great opportunity to give LGBT Scholars recognition.”

Asherlev Santos, a student at both SDSU and UCSD received $1,500 for the Rob Benzon Memorial Scholarship. Santos has earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees and is working towards a doctoral degree. Santos has been invited to attend an executive-level training program and to intern at the World Health Organization in Geneva.

“The scholarship is going to help me with my internship with the World Health Organization,” he said. “Outside of the fact that there’s money to support me in my endeavors. There’s organizations and sort of a community that comes together to support the growth of the youth. I think there are a lot of people out there that want the best for them.” Santos has worked with the Hillcrest Youth Center as a volunteer and has managed the HIV-Prevention Community Planning Board.