Yankees-Stonewall scholarships awarded

For decades, the Stonewall Inn has represented a beacon of change. Connecting that legacy to Yankee Stadium’s bright lights has created a winning team for a group of select students in the New York City public school system, as the ballclub recognizes Pride Month with its participation in the Yankees-Stonewall Scholars Initiative.

For the second consecutive year, the initiative has awarded scholarships to five New York City public school seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to equality and impactful support for the LGBTQ community.

In lieu of an on-field pregame ceremony at Yankee Stadium, the students were recently congratulated via Zoom chat by a group that included Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, Yankees senior vice president of corporate/community relations Brian Smith and Stonewall Inn co-owners Stacy Lentz and Kurt Kelly.

“It was an honor to meet with so many bright young people, and it gave a lot of hope to me, especially with what is going on in the world today,” Cashman said. “It’s clear that our five scholarship recipients will be agents of change as we continue along the path of making the world a safer, more accepting and inclusive place. Congratulations for standing out among a truly inspiring group of individuals.

“We also want to thank the Stonewall Inn for paving the way for so many. We hope to connect what it stands for with the voice of the Yankees organization to empower young people toward lives of meaningful action and change.”

The initiative provides five $10,000 college scholarships presented to one student from each of the five boroughs of New York City. The scholarships are intended to allow these students the resources to fulfill their educational and career goals.

The recipients of the 2020 Yankees-Stonewall scholarships are Tamia “Tee” Barnard (Bronx) of the High School for Law, Advocacy and Community Justice located in Manhattan; Lauren Hidalgo (Queens) of Francis Lewis High School; Cole Neufeld (Manhattan) of Bard High School Early College Manhattan; and non-publicly identified students from Brooklyn and Staten Island.

“I’m ecstatic,” Barnard said. “I’m ready for the journey. I’m excited. I’m ready to educate, I’m ready to be a leader.”

For the second consecutive year, the selection process was conducted by the New York City Department of Education in partnership with representatives from the Yankees, Stonewall Inn, the New York City Mayor’s Office, Major League Baseball and Athlete Ally.

“I am in awe of and inspired by these young people,” said Richard Carranza, the chancellor of the New York City Department of Education. “This scholarship recognizes and celebrates our students for their contributions to their school communities and a commitment to a brighter, more inclusive future.

“Thank you to the New York Yankees and Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, who are helping us honor these students who demonstrate the power of embracing your identity and using your voice to create change.”