Stanford-bound 2023 Alameda High School graduate Paul Gontard has been awarded a $6,000 Lester Marks eQuality Scholarship in recognition of his service to the LGBTQ+ community during his high school years. Gontard has led the Alameda Unified School District’s LGBTQ+ Roundtable and served as president of the high school’s Gender-Sexuality Alliance club.

Alameda School Board trustee Ryan LaLonde called Gontard “one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, and organized students I have ever worked with, who was always prepared for every meeting and three steps ahead of the adults in the room.”
The volunteer-run eQuality Scholarship Collaborative has awarded more than $2 million since its inception in 1989. Scholarships are awarded to California high school, community college, and medical students who have shown support and leadership in the LGBTQ+ community. eQuality started as a scholarship program by Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s lesbian and gay employee group, now PG&E PrideNetwork. The following year, the Bay Area Network of Gay and Lesbian Educators joined the effort. Many additional members have joined eQuality over the years.