Catholic School Won’t Recognize Gay Student’s $40,000 Scholarship

[kpete]

Catholic School Won’t Recognize Gay Student’s $40,000 Scholarship
By Zack Ford on May 8, 2012 at 1:45 pm


Every year, the Des Moines-based Eychaner Foundation awards the Matthew Shepard Scholarship to a group of openly LGBT high school students who have excelled in academics and given back to their communities. This year, one of the recipients is Keaton Fuller at Prince of Peace Catholic School, but the school has decided to bar the Foundation to present the award at graduation. The Catholic Diocese of Davenport claims that its policy prevents an organization with a position contrary to church teachings to present at the school. Fuller has drafted a letter expressing how stigmatized he feels about the decision:

I have never felt as invalidated and unaccepted as I have upon hearing the news that the scholarship that I have worked so hard for not just in the application process, but also in my deportment and actions over the years, would not be recognized in the way that it should at the graduation ceremony. It is difficult to understand how after I have spent thirteen years at this school and worked hard during all of them, I would be made to feel that my accomplishments are less than everybody else’s. This whole ordeal has been incredibly hurtful, and I am even sadder that this will be one of my last experiences to remember my high school years by.

This is a teachable moment for Prince of Peace to stand up against rejecting and invalidating the accomplishments of any student. Please help me by respectfully requesting that this decision be reversed. Share your thoughts about why all students deserve to be treated with respect and dignity at Prince of Peace.

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/05/08/479968/catholic-school-wont-recognize-gay-students-40000-scholarship/
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/Gay-Iowa-Student-Says-School-Wont-Recognize-Award-150474665.html

[bigbrother05]

1. Will they ban Military Academy or ROTC presentations as well?

Hasn't the Catholic Church come out against the wars?

What about scholarships from big Pharma who may be providing contraceptives?

Kid worked hard and pursued all avenues to fund college, just like all students are told by their advisors. Bet that the school touts the big dollars in scholarships awarded to their private education students when they are selling parents on enrolling their kids.

[Vincardog]

2. I trust they will ban any TeaBaggers or other far RW GOP groups as well

[madrchsod]

3. their are great people with in the church..

who have done great things for society and have given their lives to help others. unfortunately these people are overshadowed by the mean and cowardly action of many with in the church who's sole purpose is to demonetize people who they disagree with by using Jesus name to justified their corruption. remember these are the same people who gladly put jesus on the cross to get rid of him and his message. unfortunately for those who killed him his message has lived on.

[Dawson Leery]

4. Schools with religious affiliation are not acceptable.

[BlueIris]

5. Gross.

The Church should be ashamed of itself.

[Lugnut]

6. How Christian of them.