First off, we would like to thank all the applicants for their submissions. Like our inaugural year, it was extremely difficult for us to make our final selections. Deliberations took nearly four weeks and an additional essay had to be submitted to further narrow our decision. We made sure to critique the essays anonymously and fairly. Consideration was also made for diversity, scope and relevant experience. As challenging as this was, we are now confident that this year's recipients will represent the international adoption community with pride and leadership. Our sincere congratulations to Daniel Martig and M. Weimer.

Each are receiving an initial $500 disbursement to pursue work pertaining to international adoption or higher education goals. To read their essays in their entirety, please see our links section.

If you would like to contribute to this year's scholarship fund, there is still time. We are accepting $5, $10, $15, $25 and $50 donations. We truly appreciate your continued support. InterDoptee scholarships are awarded to international adoptees pursuing higher education who demonstrate strong leadership abilities, understanding of adoptee culture and an ability to articulate personal and professional goals in a personal essay. If you would like to automatically be added to our email list, please leave us your information. Good luck!

The 2007-2008 InterDoptee Scholarship and Grant Recipients

Daniel Martig

M. Weimer

The InterDoptee board is proud to announce this year’s scholarship/grant recipients. Daniel Martig and M. Weimer both exemplify what it means to be an international adoptee leader. We wish them much success as they continue to improve themselves and the community.

Daniel Martig is a junior at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities. He is quite accomplished academically and has also taken an active role in the adoptee community. Currently, he is mastering the Korean language and has started educating Korean nationals about what it truly means to be an adoptee. He was involved in planning for several student organizations while he studied in Korea. Daniel also works closely with his adoption agency, Children’s Home Society of MN, to educate the younger generations about Korea. With his scholarship, he hopes to continue breaking down misconceptions that people have about adoption.

M. Weimer is an accomplished artist who is our first grant recipient. She holds an M.F.A. from University of California, Irvine and was an English literature major at City College of New York. Her hope is that this grant will help her create a discussion about the adoption triad (birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptee) by using a three-screen video. She is trying to expand the avenues to explore this topic and make it more accessible for everyone. She is particularly proud of the fact that her work is reaching an audience that includes members of the adoption triad, but is also gaining notoriety from people outside that group.

Please see their winning essays by clicking the link posted below.

2007 Essays

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UPDATE!! We have raised $100 from your efforts! Thank you for helping us reach our GOAL!

This has been the easiest way to make a difference on two fronts. We are helping the environment and raising money for the scholarship fund. Because this has been such an easy fundraiser, we would like to continue the program into this year. We would love it if you got your friends, family and co-workers also involved. If you would like more baggies, e-mail us and we'll send you self-addressed, postage-paid mailers that will ship directly to Empties4Cash. Our partner in this fundraiser will send us donations directly so there are no additional steps for anyone. Thanks again, for supporting this project and making our dream a reality. Let's keep up the good work!