Linn-Mar graduate one of 10 Iowa students to receive Matthew Shepard Scholarship

Sara Puffer of Marion is one of 10 recipients of a 2011 Matthew Shepard Scholarship. Puffer's scholarship is one of seven Silver Matthew Shepard Scholarships worth up to $9,000. The scholarship, through the Eychaner Foundation, is presented to openly lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender high school students.

Three Iowa students received the Gold Matthew Shepard Scholarships worth up to $40,000

According to an Eychaner release, Puffer led the Linn-Mar Gay-Straight Alliance to make her school and community more accepting places for LGBT people. She organized an Ally Week, the Day of Silence, Iowa GSA Day and Diversity Week at Linn-Mar High School. Equality Forum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recognized the GSA for their LGBT history timeline as best in the nation.

Puffer was active at the statewide level joining the Iowa Pride Network Youth Council and Board of Directors. She taught a monthly curriculum on LGBT issues to other GSA leaders, for use with their home GSAs.

Puffer will attend the University of Iowa and plans to continue her leadership role with the Iowa Pride Network and become similarly involved with the University of Iowa GLBTAU.

The scholarships will be awarded at a dinner July 3 at the Hy-Vee Conference Center in West Des Moines.