Bailey Miranda (Fairfax)
2002 Scholarship Recipient
Essex High School, Essex Junction

Bailey's personal journey has seen him be able to come out in his senior year in high school, supported and enabled by his contact with Outright Vermont. He corresponded by email with a staff member for a few months before he felt "brave enough to venture into the office." An Outright Vermont staff member said this of him, Bailey came to Outright as a tremendously shy and quiet young man. But he continued to go to Outright and grew into "a core member of our youth group, an active volunteer, and, frankly, quite an incredible young person. He's a quiet leader, a sensitive and supportive friend, and one of the most loving people I know." He is there at least three times a week, spends as much time as possible volunteering, and recently underwent a Peer Outreach Worker training.

His description of finally deciding to go to Outright is quite moving:

"The first trip into the Nan Patrick building, up that flight of stairs, and down the intimidating hallway was the single-most terrifying experience in my life. I thought that my legs were going to collapse on me. I was so scared that I was visibly shaking, and I am told that I was white as a sheet. That first day I had the opportunity to meet the person who had been keeping me sane for the last couple months. Over the next couple of weeks, I summoned up the courage to return to Outright . . . I felt like for the first time that I could remember, I was immersed in a group of people that were just like me . . . It is now almost one year later. I can't believe that I ever was afraid to come and meet these wonderful people who have spent so much time and energy helping me get to know myself better . . . I really enjoy having the feeling that I am making a difference in other peoples' lives just as the staff members and other volunteers have made a difference in mine."

Bailey will be attending the University of Vermont this fall.