Past Winners
2024-25 Awardee: Icarus Landaker
English and Environmental Science at William & Mary
3 years scholarship of $1,000 per year
Icarus began their LGBTQIA+ Advocacy in high school in response to policies targeting transgender students. They led efforts to coordinate student protests and raise awareness within their local school district, organizing student speakers at school board meetings. Their activism culminated in a TEDx talk where they shared their experiences. Icarus plans to continue advocacy through education and journalism. They aim to use writing to bring representation to the LGBTQ+ community and combat discrimination and are particularly interested in environmental justice and the impact of climate change on marginalized groups.
2024-25 Awardee: Emerson Clevenger
Master of Public Health program at Virginia Tech
one-time award of $1,000
Emerson serves as the Vice President of the Pride Council at Virginia Tech, advocating for LGBTQIA+ students and organizing key events such as Pride Week. They also work as the student programming assistant for Lavender House, a pioneering LGBTQIA+ Living Learning Community. A nonbinary and neurodivergent individual, they focus on infectious diseases in their public health studies, aiming to address health disparities in the queer community. Through their roles and academic pursuits, Emerson is dedicated to bridging gaps in healthcare by advocating for equitable treatment and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
2024-25 Awardee: Mary-Catherine Kain
Elementary Education at Virginia Commonwealth University
one-time award of $1,000
Mary-Catherine is a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ visibility and support, particularly in educational settings. As the co-founder and president of the LGBTQ+ Future Educators student organization at Virginia Commonwealth University, they have built a thriving community of queer and trans future educators. They also serve as the Lead Fellow for the Every Voice Coalition, advocating for queer survivors of sexual violence across Virginia. With a strong focus on mental health and education, they are pursuing a degree in Elementary Education and plan to advance their career in School Psychology to further support vulnerable students.
2024-25 Awardee: Avekra Yenerni
Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech
One-time award of $250
Avekra is committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ and APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) communities at Virginia Tech. They are actively involved in organizations supporting LGBTQ+ and Asexual/Aromantic identities including Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) and spAAce (club for anyone on the asexual and/or aromantic spectrum) and regularly attend events at the Pride Center, demonstrating a strong commitment to community engagement. Avekra seeks out opportunities to meet new people and expand their network within these communities and is particularly passionate about increasing visibility for queer people of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) backgrounds, especially those from India.
Past Winners
Casa BruMar Foundation is very excited to announce the first ever winner of the Rise Up Scholarship: Jordyn Harris from Prince William County, Virginia!
Jordyn will be studying Political Science and hopes to becomes a Congresswoman where she will further advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Jordyn has shown exemplary leadership, and describes herself as resilient, creative, optimistic, courageous, and positive.
The teacher who recommended Jordyn noted her drive and authenticity. Jordyn displayed an ability to open her fellow students’ eyes to the history of the LGBTQIA+ community and minority groups, “bringing to light injustices and actively trying to think of new solutions to better the community's
American experience.” Congratulations Jordyn! Casa BruMar Foundation looks forward to following your achievements and advocacy.
Casa BruMar Foundation is pleased to announce Nahazha Young, of Prince William County, Virginia, as a 2023 Rise Up LGBTQIA+ Advocate Award winner.
Ms. Young is interested in pursuing a career in nursing, citing current healthcare inequities the LGBTQIA+ community faces in America as a motivation. Nahazha spoke to her commitment to making healthcare settings safe for LGBTQIA+ patients by advocating for increased training for staff. The teacher who recommended Ms. Young noted her strong leadership abilities and passion to help others, noting her history of educating and organizing her fellow students. Congratulations Nahazha!