Natalee DrissellSilver City, NM, August 8, 2024—The board of directors of PFLAG Silver City is pleased to announce this year's recipients of the Nancy Kailing Memorial Scholarship at Western New Mexico University. The two students are Natalee Drissell and Dade Girven.
Ms. Drissell, of Silver City, is a sophomore at WNMU majoring in Fine Arts. She is an active member of the Queers and Allies, Art, and Horticulture Clubs at the university. She is also a member of the LGBTQ Grant County board of directors and involved in the production of the Silver City Pride Festival. Ms. Drissell states, "When I enter a classroom or a meeting, I lead with the respect I would like others to show me."
Dade Girven is from Ruidoso, NM and is a psychology major at WNMU. While a student at Ruidoso High School, he was one of the founders of the Gardening Club. He explains, "The Gardening Club became the defacto queer student club because of how many LGBTQ+ students it attracted."
The Nancy Kailing Memorial Scholarship at WNMU welcomes applications from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students and their allies. It honors the memory of Nancy Kailing, a PFLAG mom and a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. She founded PFLAG Fairbanks, Alaska and PFLAG Silver City.
Charles GirvenFor more information on the scholarship, contact PFLAG Silver City at 575-590-8797 or at pflagsilver.org. PFLAG is the nation's largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.
