THE HARRINGTON
SCHOLARSHIP
Why do we call it The Harrington Scholarship
While PFLAG Norman has been fortunate to award scholarships since 2006, the board is proud to name this scholarship in honor of the Harrington family. Zack Harrington was a Norman North High School graduate, who had also been a recipient of the PFLAG Norman scholarship. On September 28th, 2010, the Norman City Council acknowledged a proclamation to recognize October as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Month. As a gay advocate, Zack was likely in attendance to support the proclamation. Although the council voted in favor of it, the meeting was open to public comments, creating a toxic environment against the LQBTQ+ community which affected Zack. Tragically, Zack died unexpectedly on October 5th, 2010. Zack’s parents, Nancy and Van Harrington, became fierce advocates for LGBTQ rights. Van was very open about Zack's story and wanted to be someone that people felt they could talk to regarding their own struggles with acceptance. On September 27th, 2016, the City Council again voted in favor of the LGBTQ History Month proclamation; this time unanimously and without public comment. After a legacy of providing advocacy, education, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community, Van passed away July 8th, 2020. The Harrington family story is not a tragedy, but a story of encouragement and inspiration. The board is overjoyed to offer this scholarship in the name of the family.
Zack’s story can also be seen in the documentary film, Broken Heart Land. If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, there is help. Seek assistance and contact local resources for ongoing support. Or call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
We would like to express our gratitude to Dick Miller for his generous contributions to the scholarship. The board would also like to thank everyone who has donated. Without your donations, we would not be able to fulfill this amazing opportunity.