USSN: In the News

Seven Honored For Efforts To Boost Diversity

By Jennifer Gollan

Marin Independent Journal

Thursday, May 05, 2005—Seven people who have boosted diversity and tolerance in schools—including a police officer, two students and four school personnel—were honored by a Novato social advocacy agency last night.

Among those who received awards from United for Safe Schools Novato, an organization that promotes diversity in education, were:

Loeta Andersen, principal of San Marin High School.
Linda Greene, a special education teacher at Loma Verde School.
Rey Mayoral, a principal at Novato High School.
Mark Miller, a custodian at San Marin High School.
Novato police Lt. Jennifer Tejada.
Karen Colin, a junior at Novato High School.
Tyler Holmes, a junior at Marin School of the Arts.

"Each in their own way has served their community and has embodied in their work the idea that everyone deserves to be safe, respected and included in our community," said Lynne Wasley, co-chairwoman of United for Safe Schools Novato.

She said it has 160 individuals and 40 agencies as members.

The organization was established in 2002 to promote diversity after hate crimes against gay Novato students.

Wasley joined Novato city and school officials in recognizing the award recipients last night at a dinner attended by 120 guests at the Margaret Todd Senior Center in Novato. The students each received $100 scholarships; the others received pottery.

Wasley said the award recipients worked in a variety of ways to improve diversity in their communities.

For example, Andersen, cracked down on students who hazed their peers, Wasley said.

"More and more kids understand that is not a necessary rite of passage," Andersen said. "There is a better understanding that freshmen have the right to feel welcomed."

Andersen also said she was "so deeply moved and honored," to receive last night's award from the schools organization.

Contact Jennifer Gollan via e-mail at jgollan@marinij.com


	Seven Honored For Efforts To Boost Diversity By Jennifer Gollan Marin Independent Journal Thursday, May 05, 2005—Seven people who have boosted diversity and tolerance in schools—including a police officer, two students and four school personnel—were honored by a Novato social advocacy agency last night. Among those who received awards from United for Safe Schools Novato, an organization that promotes diversity in education, were: Loeta Andersen, principal of San Marin High School. Linda Greene, a special education teacher at Loma Verde School. Rey Mayoral, a principal at Novato High School. Mark Miller, a custodian at San Marin High School. Novato police Lt. Jennifer Tejada. Karen Colin, a junior at Novato High School. Tyler Holmes, a junior at Marin School of the Arts. "Each in their own way has served their community and has embodied in their work the idea that everyone deserves to be safe, respected and included in our community," said Lynne Wasley, co-chairwoman of United for Safe Schools Novato. She said it has 160 individuals and 40 agencies as members. The organization was established in 2002 to promote diversity after hate crimes against gay Novato students. Wasley joined Novato city and school officials in recognizing the award recipients last night at a dinner attended by 120 guests at the Margaret Todd Senior Center in Novato. The students each received $100 scholarships; the others received pottery. Wasley said the award recipients worked in a variety of ways to improve diversity in their communities. For example, Andersen, cracked down on students who hazed their peers, Wasley said. "More and more kids understand that is not a necessary rite of passage," Andersen said. "There is a better understanding that freshmen have the right to feel welcomed." Andersen also said she was "so deeply moved and honored," to receive last night's award from the schools organization. Contact Jennifer Gollan via e-mail at jgollan@marinij.com
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