On behalf of the students, families and teaching team that have just completed the 26-week Our Whole Lives (OWL) Sexuality Education Program for 7-9th graders, we would like to thank the following businesses and individuals, without whose support we could not have succeeded. Some of the individual names are excluded to protect their privacy – but you know who you are and we appreciate the personal stories and perspectives you shared with our class: Brown Bear Bakery; Dr. Camille Fleming; Camp Orkila; Clever Cow Creamery; Emmanuel Episcopal Church Dinner Crew; Grace Grantham; Healing Arts Center; Jake Perrine; Jay Kimball; Kathryn Kier; Laurie Gallo, RN; Mandy Troxel; Office Cupboard; Orcas Family Health Center; Orcas Island Community Foundation (and all of their donors who supported us); Orcas Island Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; OWL Alumni Teaching Assistants Kaya Osborn and Adia Dolan; OWL Panelists; OWL parents; Ray’s Pharmacy; Rhys Hansen; SAFE San Juans; Dr. Sarah Lyle; Susan and Ted Aspinall; Wild Island

The OWL Program provides honest, accurate information about sexuality. It dismantles stereotypes and assumptions, builds self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, improves decision-making, and has the potential to save lives. This is the third class of OWL graduates on Orcas since 2012 and we have seen the positive effects on our community as a whole as these students make informed and healthy choices, provide leadership and role modeling for their peers and feel comfortable standing up for their values.

This is a great example of our village at work and we thank you for your support.

Suzanne Olson, Sandi Burt, Berto Gandara, Serena Burman and RJ Myers