About Us → News & Events These CT teens are the first recipients of $50K LGBTQ+-focused scholarship program

June 18, 2024 

A Stratford-based nonprofit last month announced the first recipients of its new scholarship program focused on students with a history of advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Health Care Advocates International (HCAI) announced it opened applications for the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship in March. Blick, who is gay, founded HCAI 2016 to “reduce morbidity and mortality associated with HIV and sexually transmitted infections by fighting stigma and discrimination and ending homelessness." The organization has a medical office along with an advocacy arm that works with members of the LGBTQ+ community. 

“I have been committed to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community for over 35 years,” Blick said. “Through this scholarship, we hope to continue the hard work of fighting for a world free from stigma, discrimination and HIV/AIDS and I believe that with this inaugural group of young people, the future looks bright.” 

The scholarship will be awarded annually. This year, $50,000 was distributed to five Connecticut students. Connecticut residents who are high school seniors or recent graduates, plan to attend a four-year college or university, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, met financial eligibility requirements, submitted a letter of recommendation from a family member and have a demonstrated history of advocacy or allyship for the LGBTQ+ community were eligible. Four of the recipients chose to be identified, while one asked to remain anonymous. 

Fran Garcia, a 17-year-old Middletown High School senior, plans to study molecular and cell biology at UConn in the fall. She said the scholarship made the prospect of scholarship possible. Garcia was born in Puerto Rico and moved to Connecticut with her family 12 years ago.  

“This means a lot because of my background,” Garcia said. “I come from a very poor background. I’ve struggled a lot financially. When we came from Puerto Rico, we were homeless and through determination, we finally got a home. We’re still working on a lot, like my education because education costs so much money. I’m hoping I can advocate for more healthcare affordability and accessibility to those of the LGBTQ+ identity.” 

Pattie McKnight, executive director of HCAI, said  the scholarships empower the next generation of LGBTQ+ leaders to continue effecting change in the world. 

“We believe that embracing the next generation and empowering them to find solutions to challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community is vital to societal growth,” she said “By offering financial assistance through the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship, we hope to inspire individuals aligned with the LGBTQ+ community to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in the world.” 

Here are the first five recipients of the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship: 

Name: Oliver Prezch 
Age: 19 
High school: Farmington High School 
College: UConn 
Major: Pathobiology 
What receiving the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship means to me: "It's really important to me that this is an LGBTQ-focused scholarship. I did a lot of activism in high school, that's how I spent most of my time. It's nice to get recognition for some of the things I've worked so hard on. College is expensive. This takes some of the weight off so I am able to focus on academics more." 

Name: El Youngquist 
Age: 18 
High school: Stratford High School 
College: Cornell University 
Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management 
What receiving the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship means to me: "It means so much to me because college is such a huge financial burden but it's really important. Getting one, especially for the queer community and allies, is really important because I've been doing a lot of work for that and have come into my own in high school. It's really rewarding to get something that is for the community." 

Name: Styx Hatch 
Age: 18 
High school: Hall High School 
College: Emerson College 
Major: Stage and Production Management 
What receiving the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship means to me: “This scholarship made it possible for me to go to my dream school. I was so honored to be recognized as part of the LGBTQ community working to further our rights in Connecticut. I’ve done a lot of smaller things in my advocacy over the years that, in my head, were important. To be recognized on a scale like this is something I never imagined.” 

Name: Fran Garcia 
Age: 17 
High school: Middletown High School 
College: UConn 
Major: Molecular and Cell Biology 
What receiving the Dr. Gary Blick Scholarship means to me: “As someone who has a poor background and an LGBTQ background and a Hispanic/LatinX background, this is a really good opportunity for me. When people come together and try their best to fund and provide some money to kids with those kinds of struggles, it means a lot. Just starting with change is the first step to helping students. It always starts with a group of people that can make change happen.”