Ayanna Alicea

Dear Tamra, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for choosing me as the recipient of the Gay's Den Scholar Award. I feel incredibly honored and thankful to be recognized by someone so dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ students like myself. Your support directly eases the financial challenges my family faces and will allow me to focus more fully on my studies and my dream of attending college. Coming from a low-income, single-parent household with five siblings, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to balance responsibilities at home and academic ambitions. My mom’s hard work and perseverance inspire me daily, and I’m committed to using my education to honor her sacrifices and help break the cycle of poverty for my family. With your scholarship, I’m a step closer to studying biology and ultimately becoming a radiation therapist—a path that represents hope and a brighter future for all of us. I’m deeply moved by your mission to empower students who, like me, are striving to overcome obstacles and create meaningful change. Your generosity fuels my determination to become a resilient, lifelong learner and, one day, support others in the same way you’ve supported me. Thank you for believing in my potential and for giving me this incredible chance to reach my goals. Your kindness inspires me, and I look forward to making a positive impact in my community. Thank you, Ayanna Alicea

Mattias Gonzales

I hope you are well. I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the Gay's Den Scholar Award I received about a year ago. This scholarship has made an incredible impact on my life, easing my financial burden and allowing me to focus on my studies in biomedical sciences. Your support has inspired me to excel academically and give back to my community. I want to assure you that your generosity has not gone to waste. I remain committed to maintaining high standards and achieving my academic and career goals. Thank you once again for your support. Sincerely, Mattias Gonzales