Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship Program now accepting applications for semester scholarship awards

The Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship Program is now accepting applications from students interested in applying for fall 2016/spring 2017 scholarships.

The Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship Program, a program of the National AIDS Memorial Grove, recognizes, supports and encourages the educational efforts of young people committed to active roles of public service and leadership in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Named in honor of AIDS educator, activist and reality television pioneer Pedro Zamora, who passed away more than 20 years ago from an AIDS-related illness, the scholarship program began in 2009 and has helped support the education of young people who today are engaged in a wide variety of HIV-related work both in school as well as within the chosen academic field. The scholarship program is funded primarily through grants provided by Wells Fargo, UnitedHealthcare and AIDS Walk San Francisco.

"We continue to see great interest by students from around the country in being part of this scholarship program, which honors the legacy of Pedro and his commitment to ending HIV/AIDS," said John Cunningham, executive director of the National AIDS Memorial Grove. "Recipients of these scholarships are future leaders who are trailblazers in their own right and committed to making a positive difference."

Scholarship applications are being accepted through May 2, and can be downloaded from the National AIDS Memorial Grove website at www.aidsmemorial.org. Scholarships will be awarded in August and range from $2,500 to $5,000.

The Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship is open to all current high school seniors, and college freshman, sophomores and juniors (ages 27 and younger) who demonstrate an active commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS and taking on roles of public service and leadership.

As part of the application process, interested students are asked write an essay that describes their current leadership efforts/experience, its significance to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as how their future career plans or public service will be an extension of their current efforts. Applicants are asked to provide at least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, program coordinator, supervisor/ally/community leader who is directly involved in their HIV/AIDS-related service, leadership or field of study. A panel of community leaders will judge the applications.

Further information and applications are available at www.aidsmemorial.org, or by contacting Matt Kennedy at 415-765-0446 or [email protected]. Details about helping fund and support the Pedro Zamora Young Leaders Scholarship Program can also be found on the website.

The National AIDS Memorial Grove is a dedicated space in the national landscape that honors lives touched by AIDS, and articulates the epidemic's enormous societal impact and the community's magnificent response. The Grove was created 25 years ago at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a place where those impacted by AIDS could both grieve and begin the process of healing. In 1996, the Grove was elevated as a National Memorial through legislation sponsored by Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Today, more than 23,000 individuals from around the world have contributed over 150,000 volunteer hours to support the National AIDS Memorial Grove and its mission to provide, in perpetuity, a place of remembrance so that the lives of people who died from AIDS are not forgotten and the story is known by future generations. For more information, visit www.aidsmemorial.org.