(Printed in the Advance on May 18, 2005)

On May 4th, Novatans came together to honor 7 individuals whose outstanding efforts to promote safety, respect and inclusion in our schools and community were acknowledged.

United for Safe Schools Novato's (USSN) 2nd annual “Stand up Novato!” recognition dinner, this year held at the Margaret Todd Senior Center, was a lively and inspiring night.  The capacity crowd filled the room with applause as we celebrated the impressive accomplishments of two students: Karen Colin, Novato High School, and Tyler Holmes, Marin School of the Arts; and five adults: Loeta Andersen, SMHS principal; Linda Greene, Loma Verde special education teacher; Rey A.  Mayoral, NHS principal; Mark Miller, SMHS custodian; and Jennifer Tejada, NPD Lieutenant.  But long before the evening was over it was obvious that the spirited applause wasn't only for the laudable achievements of these individuals; it was also for our community.  We were beaming.  We were proud.  A collective voice that spoke about our schools and city as places where everyone was welcomed and included was enthusiastically shared. This is Novato, a city where we all belong!

This isn't to say that we’re always in agreement.  Our city is too diverse for unanimity.  But by starting with the basic foundation that everyone has the right to be safe, respected and included, we can continue in a positive direction.  The journey begins with individuals willing 'to stand up' for respect, but it moves out from there: it's about all of us.

The USSN dinner committee would like extend our appreciation to the award winners for inspiring us with their words and deeds.  We'd also like to thank Dave
Morey, KFOG D.J. and Novato resident, for his stirring words as our guest speaker and Bernie Meyers, our mayor, for his welcoming introduction.  Also, thank you to
Mark Peabody, Director, and four of his students from Marin School of the Arts Jazz Band, for their excellent performance.  Additionally, thank you to dinner
volunteers for their invaluable efforts, to the individuals and businesses who provided scholarships and partial in kind donations, and to the numerous individuals and agencies that participated in the dinner and support the work we do.

USSN, with nearly 200 individual and more than 40 agency members, is a grassroots group which promotes diversity education, safety, inclusion and awareness for ALL. Join us! www.unitedsafe.com

The USSN dinner committee:
Grace Bartee, Mark Brand, Kathy Fenton, Shelley Norris-Alvarez, Lynne Wasley