To The Head of the Class

Courtesy of Phoenix Pride, September 2016 Issue.

Dan Galloway Scholarship Recipient

Alex Geiger is a third year medical student at the University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, where he served as the co-leader of LGBTQ in Medicine, a group for LGBTQ and allied medical students. In addition, as a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee at UACOM-P, Geiger has worked to improve the school’s climate for LGBTQ students and the curriculum about LGBTQ health issues. Additionally, Geiger’s research examines barriers to reproductive health screening and family planning for transgender men. In his free time, Geiger said he enjoys spending time with his husband, Tray, giving back to his community and participating in any activity that gets him outdoors.

This year mark’s Tanner Bollman’s senior at Grand Canyon University where he’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology with an emphasis in pre-physician assistant.

Bollman’s experiences working with children – including volunteering at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Refugee Ministries and mentoring foreign exchange students at a local high school – underscore his passion for both children and medicine. Bollman’s goal is to own and operate his own pediatric practice one day, allowing him to ensure children are receiving the care they need.

“In today’s society, many children lack acceptance and care that limits them from attaining a happy and prosperous future. My personal experience has allowed me to understand what acceptance really is,” he said. “Growing up with a homosexual father has taught me that everyone is equal regardless of their gender, race or sexual orientation. I am always looking for ways to help others and support my dads along with the LGBTQ community…”

Nemanja Demic is beginning his third year at Northern Arizona University, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Politics and Law with a minor in International Relations. Demic said he hopes to attend law school in order to obtain a dual J.D./M.A. in Law and International Law.

His passion for international affairs stems from his background as a war refugee; he and his family, victims of the Serbo-Croatian wars, immigrated to the United States as refugees in 2000. To prepare himself for law school, Demic completed an internship with Congresswoman Ann Kirkpatrick of Arizona’s first congressional district, he spent the spring 2016 semester in Perth, Australia, at Murdoch University and has been selected as the intern for Griffen and Steven’s Law Office for this semester.

In addition to his passion for immigrant rights, Demic said he plans to fight on the frontlines for LGBTQ rights as well. “Our community has fought too long for basic human rights, however, the fight is far from over,” he said. “I plan to be a changemaker in the near future …”

Juan Pedroza Reyes, a first generation college student, will start his senior year at The College of St. Scholastica this fall. In addition to his studies, Pedroza Reyes has held a full-time job working with youth and families at a behavioral health clinic, Valle Del Sol. Here he began as a community health worker in June of 2014, was promoted to family consultant and then to clinical case manager. In these roles, Pedroza Reyes has helped a countless families access resources, psychoeducation, child and teen anger management groups, parent support groups, skills training and case management.

Pedroza Reyes was a member of Phoenix College’s honors program and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He is also a recipient of the URSA Student Leadership Award and was recognized by Maricopa Leadership Institute. He is currently a member of National Association of Social Workers. One day, Pedroza Reyes hopes to become a Licensed Master Social Worker and continue to promote overall health and wellness throughout the community.

Cody Holt is heading into his junior year at Arizona State University this fall. While at ASU, Holt has served his fellow student-residents as the

president of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Residential Council, a student leadership organization that advocates for tens of thousands of students on campus. In this role, Holt developed

multiple programs geared toward LGBTQ rights, and won an ASU Pitchfork Award for his World AIDS Day event. He also served as a chapter officer and delegate for the Students for Sensible Drug Policy 2016 International Conference and maintains employment as a student orientation leader and desk assistant at ASU. In the school year ahead, Holt will serve on the Residence Hall Association Executive Board at ASU-T while pursuing degrees in Global Health and Global Studies, as well as a minor in Mandarin Chinese.

Juan Hinojos will be attending Arizona State University this fall, majoring in Global Studies. Hinojos said he aspires to become a United Nations Officer or U.S. Ambassador. His goals to be a civic servant reflect on his morals and values, as he loves to volunteer and give back. Thank you, Hinojos said, to Phoenix Pride for this wonderful opportunity.

– Courtesy of Phoenix Pride.