On Oct. 19, the Oak Park Area Lesbian and Gay Association (OPALGA+) held its annual gala at Oak Park’s historic Nineteenth Century Charitable Association, 178 Forest Ave.
The sold-out gala, which annually announces scholarships to Oak Park-area LGBTQ+ college-bound students, featured a raffle, live pianist, silent auction, dinner and live drag performances, among other activities. Drag king Cosmo Dragon and drag queen Kimberly Summer performed along with The Juliet Trio and Damien Espinosa, with WGN meteorologist and Oak Park native Tim Joyce serving as emcee. The theme for the event was “Equality for Everyone,” with Founders Awards going to music venue owner and entrepreneur Donnie Biggins in the category for individuals and Taskforce Prevention and Community Services in the organizations category.
Though the evening was packed with activities and featured a schedule that seemed to burst at the seams, there were plenty of emotional moments peppered throughout. Soon to be attending Columbia College in the next school year, Archer Bart from Lyons Township High School spoke at length on how a nurturing and protected school environment made a major difference in his life. Chris Balthazar of Taskforce Prevention and Community Services was almost moved to tears while accepting the organization award for Taskforce Prevention and Community Services and giving a shout out to colleague Rose Lewis-Calvin, while a team of representatives from Rush Center for Gender, Sexuality and Reproductive Health presented OPALGA+ with a check for $7,000. To top that off, the fundraising goal of $60,000 was nearly reached by the end of the evening.
OPALGA+ has since 2014 awarded over $220,000 in scholarships including $50, 000 this past year, the highest amount given in a single year. The scholarship fund provides financial support for the continuing education of LGBTQ+ students and allies from Cook County who have displayed advocacy and service to the LGBTQ+ community and the larger community. The 2024 scholarship recipients included Bart, Emma Costello-Wollwage, Emily Gonzales, Sean Grah, Sherlyn Herrera, Jude Kennedy, Aspyn Lawrence, Taylor Montes-Williams, Delaney McHugh and Kennedy Smith.
Applications for the 2025-26 school year scholarships are due by March 15, 2025. For more information send an e-mail to scholarship@opalga.org.
