Yankees Honor Fifth-Annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Recipients

Yankees Senior V.P. and General Manager Brian Cashman (left) with recipients of the Yankees-Stonewall Scholarships and NYC Department of Education officials on Wednesday night. Provided by New York Yankees.

On Wednesday night, the Yankees celebrated New York's Legacy of Pride, and in a pregame ceremony before their 4-2 win over Seattle, they recognized the recipients of the fifth-annual Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative. 

The annual scholarships, which were first awarded in 2019 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising, celebrate student leaders who have demonstrated academic achievement, a commitment to equality, and impactful support for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Initiative, on a yearly basis, awards $50,000 worth of scholarships through five $10,000 scholarships to one graduating high school senior from each of New York City's five boroughs.

Four of the recipients of the scholarships who appeared at Yankee Stadium were: Henry Mejia of The Bronx - Health Opportunities High School, will attend NYU's College of Arts & Science; Amiya Gonzalez of Manhattan - Humanities Prepatory Academy, will attend SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry; Douglas Mu of Queens - Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, will attend NYU's Tisch School of the Arts; Mario Ficolara of Staten Island - Tottenville High School, will attend Wake Forest University. The student from Brooklyn who received it requested anonymity.

"I never cease to be inspired by our Yankees-Stonewall scholars, and we are thrilled to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2023 honorees, who have already demonstrated maturity and leadership far beyond their years," Yankees Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman said. "These scholarships are awarded to individuals who will promote inclusion, compassion, and understanding, which provide the environment in which all individuals can follow their hearts and pursue their aspirations. The Yankees-Stonewall Scholarship Program reflects the immense respect our organization has for the LGBTQ+ community, and everyone who comes to Yankee Stadium should know that it's a place where you can be who you are without exception."

The implementation of the Yankees-Stonewall Initiative aligns directly with the construct of the Yankees' Diversity & Inclusion Committee, which identifies, engages, and addresses issues related to equality, racial justice, and inclusivity. The nomination process is initiated by the New York City Department of Education, with each public high school able to submit one graduating senior for consideration. The selection process is conducted by the Department of Education in partnership with input from representatives from the Yankees, The Stonewall Inn, Major League Baseball, and Pride Live.

In 2022, the Yankees expanded their preexisting community partnership with Pride Live (pridelive.org) with the team becoming a founding sponsor of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center (SNMVC), which broke ground on June 24, 2022. For more information on the SNMVC, please visit www.stonewallvisitorcenter.org.

On June 25, 2019, the Yankees dedicated a plaque in Monument Park to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn Uprising, which served as a catalyst for breaking barriers and acceptance. The monument is alongside honors for two men who dedicated their lives to breaking barriers and creating equality for all, Jackie Robinson, who became a role model for all when he fought against prejudice and broke Major League Baseball's color barrier, and that plaque has his number 42; and Nelson Mandela, a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and global leader who fought apartheid in South Africa in the face of strong opposition, and appeared at Yankee Stadium on June 21, 1990.

Provided by New York Yankees.