Lauren Parker (Williston)
2005 Scholarship Recipient
Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg

Lauren has been a strong and vibrant voice for the LGBTQ youth not only at Champlain Valley Union High School but for the broader community as well. Lauren restarted the defunct Gay Straight Alliance at her school changing the name to the Gay-Trans-Straight Alliance (GSTA) to be more inclusive. During the time Lauren was involved in the GSTA its membership expanded to include around 25 members and she was recognized by her school for her leadership of the GSTA and making the school more accepting of LGBTQ students.

Lauren wrote in her scholarship essay,

"I am so glad I came out during high school. Leading the GSTA, helping with events like Youth Pride through Outright and writing articles for Out In The Mountains have been defining aspects of my life. I can't imagine what my life would be like if I had never come out or started the GSTA. It would definitely be a lot less rewarding."

Meg Gross, the advisor for the CVU GSTA had this to say about Lauren,

"I believe she has become a powerful model for the younger students, greatly contributing their own levels of self-acceptance as well as inspiring many of them to have important family discussions."

Lauren will be attending Warren Wilson College in North Carolina this fall where she will study Conservation Biology.