Phoenix Pride Awards

John Bircumshaw Spirit Award

DAVID BOYLES

David Boyles is a teacher, organizer, and general busybody who is passionate about advocating for queer youth and families and creating spaces where they can thrive and celebrate queer culture and history. He is co-founder and president of Drag Story Hour- Arizona, a member of the national Drag Queen Story Hour leadership team, an organizer of Virtual Arizona Pride, and a teacher at ASU, where he created a class dedicated to representations of queer youth in pop culture and politics. Most recently he has had the privilege to mentor the high school students of Support Equality AZ Schools as they advocate for safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQ+ students.

Mayor Phil Gordon Spirit Award

AUBREY GHALICHI

Adonias Arevalo-Melara is 29 years old and is a Salvadorean queer immigrant who came to the US when he was 13 after losing his dad to gang violence. Right after high school graduation and after being denied a scholarship due to his immigration status, he started activism and organizing in 2009 with the immigrant rights movement, volunteering with local non profit organizations in Houston, TX and leading mobilizations to Congress for the Dream Act fight in 2010 as a member of the National Leadership Committee of United We Dream. Adonias is a DACA recipient and has spent many years volunteering for social and racial equity campaigns and carries more than 11 years of experience in community organizing, philanthropy, voter
engagement and policy development. From working in the Texas Legislature to community development efforts and leading national policy immigration efforts, Adonias has carried multiple civic engagement campaigns in more than 7 states and recently led a voter registration and engagement program that reached 750K voters in Maricopa County during the 2020 election period.

Kirk Baxter Spirit Award

HEATHER A. SMITH, LMSW

Heather has been a consistent advocate, friend, and ally who has passionately supported equal civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ+ social movements. A social justice advocate, Heather brings agencies together to formulate a united front against structural forms of oppression that continue to plague our communities. Heather has been a leader in HIV, PrEP, HCV, and STI reduction having worked in numerous social services functions including case management, counseling, practice administration, as well as program management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a minor in Criminal Justice from Columbus State University and a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University. She also has her licensure in social work (LMSW). Heather currently works as the Community Liaison for Gilead Sciences but has also held roles at CAN Community Health, Iowa Department of Public Health, The Project of Primary Health Care in Iowa and in partnership with the Florida Department of Health, Big Bend Cares and the Kearney Center all focused on HIV, PrEP, STI, testing and social services for the HIV and HCV communities.
Heather has lived in ten different states and now currently lives in Chandler with her trusted companion and dog Molly or molly ann when she is in trouble!

Danny Becht Spirit Award

BOBBIE JO HOGUE

Bobbie Jo is a proud pansexual individual who has an amazing son. She has lived in Phoenix for five years now and, as soon as possible, found her place here in Phoenix's LGBTQIA+ community, volunteering for multiple organizations.
She loves the opportunity to help others and to be of service to the people, groups, and non-profits here in Phoenix.
The mission of Phoenix Pride to S.E.E. the community is very prevalent in all she does, not just the work for the Pride Organization.

LAUREN SALAZ

I am determined to serve as an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). With support for same-sex relationships at an all time high in the United States and over 15% of Generation Z (born 1997 to 2002) identifying as LGBT, now more than ever is the chance for change. Much of both the challenges and triumphs the movement has experienced have transpired in court. As a civil rights attorney, I would be able to advocate for all to be seen as equally valuable and equally as deserving of legal protections.

JORDAN DAVIS-WILEY

I am a 2022 Summa Cum Laude graduate of North High School’s International Baccalaureate program, with a 4.66 GPA and was also awarded the Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish. An avid reader and the co-founder of Nickel Berry Works, a publishing company, and author of its first publication, Dreamcatcher. My high school activities included National Honor Society, Phoenix Girls Chorus, Jack and Jill of America, and playing five instruments while tutoring my peers in biology, mathematics, and English, and providing childcare in my local community. I will join the University of Southern California’s Trojan family in the fall, majoring in Business of the Cinematic Arts and minoring in Spanish, all in furtherance of becoming a screenwriter/producer for film and television. My plans are to create stories that illustrate our human experience—an experience that is inclusive and reflective of our universal commonalities while still embracing and celebrating the differences that make us unique.

SAMMY CRISTERNA

Hello everyone my name is Sammy Cristerna, and I am from Gilbert. I was born and raised in Arizona. Being that I am from Gilbert it can be increasingly difficult to find people like us in my community. I live in a very religious area, and it can be hard to express myself in this area however I feel it is necessary. People must know that we are here and that we are proud of our identity. Representation matters and as someone who was super involved in high school I know there are still young queer youth yearning to be seen. I am very excited to begin my studies as a Political Science major at Arizona State University and hope to become an attorney. In my spare time, I enjoy listening to music, hanging out with friends, and shopping.

KIARA SMITH

Hi, my name is Kiara Smith. I am a bisexual female, and my pronouns are she/ her/ hers. I just graduated from Washington High School with high honors. I will be attending Barnard College at Columbia University starting this fall semester where I hope to continue to advocate for minority and LGBTQ+ rights.

LENNON VANAUSDAL

Lennon VanAusdal is a queer, non-binary 17-year-old Queen Creek High School graduate who will be pursuing a theatre arts degree for design and production. During the last four years of high school, I have encouraged education of queer history among my peers through participation in the founding of a GSA club, as well as creating open conversations about my identity and sexuality within my neighborhood, school, and community. I am honored to receive this scholarship and will carry forward in working towards inclusion and pride for the LGBTQ+ community while at university.

VETERAN SCHOLARSHIP

JOHN KUBROCK

I’m native of Cottonwood, AZ, a junior pursuing a degree in health and society at Yavapai College transferring soon to an Arizona University. I’m “impassioned by injustice,” and strive to address unjust health disparities. I have traveled across the U.S. and Costa Rica studying health issues and she plans to volunteer this summer at a hospital in Guatemala. I plan to pursue a master of public health and launch a policy career fighting health injustice. I’m financing my own education, and have made dean’s list every semester.