LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A positive message
Editor: As a teacher at Casa Grande High School who has observed
Free to Be in my classroom over the past 10 years, I commend the
program for its effectiveness, nonsectarian and tolerant approach,
and its peer-to-peer design. 
Students respond positively to Free to Be’s message. Since Free
to Be first stepped onto the campus at Casa Grande, I’ve noticed
that choosing abstinence is no longer considered “dorky” or
“old-fashioned” but instead viewed as a viable and healthy
option.
Free to Be discussions do not focus solely on abstinence. They
include information on healthy relationships and setting boundaries
— topics that presenters from other programs do not broach. In
addition, whereas other programs use adults to discuss sex, Free to
Be utilizes a youth-to-youth approach that is impactful and
meaningful. Teens know how to talk to teens, and teens listen to
their peers far better than they do to adults. 
Free to Be youth volunteers are never judgmental and are always
respectful. The program never denigrates or dismisses teens who are
sexually active because the very purpose of Free to Be is for our
youth to have access to all of their options so that they can make
the choice that is best for their lives. To condemn others for
being sexually active would contradict the very mission of Free to
Be.
Finally, Free to Be fulfills requirements of California’s
comprehensive sex education code. The code requires teaching the
“value of abstinence” and “that abstinence is the only certain way
to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.” Sonoma
County schools that opt to teach comprehensive sex education are
required to provide students with information about abstinence.
Sadly, Free to Be is unable to be in my classroom this year due
to the American Civil Liberty Union’s agenda to ban this valuable
community-based program from our schools. It is my hope that more
people will learn the truth about this program so that Free to Be
can return to my classroom next year.
Lynne Moquete, M.P.H.
Department Chair,
Human Interaction Petaluma
Thanks from Bob’s Kids
EDITOR: Bob Burkes Kids thank everyone who attended the March 6
Charity Auction hosted by Analy and El Molino High School
Leadership groups at the Sebastopol Community Church Hall.
We thank the Sonoma West Times & News and Sonoma County
radio stations for their great coverage and outreach. We thank all
the people and businesses who donated great auction and raffle
prizes. We thank the Pasta King, the El Molino High School jazz
band, the Lovehandle band, our auctioneer, and the huge, huge
loving and hardworking leadership students.
Over $12,000 was generated for Bob Burkes Kids. We love you with
all our hearts. I love the huge hearts of Analy & El Molino
Leadership teachers and students. I love all of our supporters who
came March 6 and supported our children with cancer.
You are angels in our lives. God Bless You.
Thank you all so much.
Bob Burke
Forestville
Adopt a seat at Analy
Editor: Analy High School Theatre Arts Department is celebrating
the Analy Theatre Renovation Project “adopt-a-seat” program. If you
have been one of the generous supporters of Analy Theatre Arts by
adopting one or more seats in the theatre, you are invited to our
spring musical “The Wedding Singer” on March 21 at 1:30 p.m. We
will have a short dedication during intermission and after the show
you can help us celebrate with free refreshments.
All donors will be listed on a will call list for the show so
all you need to do is show up before 1:30 and give your name. If
you want a really good seat you may want to come earlier. For more
information about the show you can visit the Analy High School
website and go to the Theatre under Programs or you can call the
Theatre Arts information line at 707-824-2360.
If you would like to bring your friends and family tickets will
be on sale at the door for $12 for adults and $6 for students and
seniors. Tickets can be purchased ahead of the show on brownpapertickets.com or by
calling 800-838-3006.
All proceeds from the purchased tickets for this show will be
donated to the Analy Honor Choir to support their trip to New York
City in April where they will be singing at Carnegie Hall.
Come and enjoy the show on March 21. We would love to show our
thanks for your support.
Mary Lou Schmidt
Sebastopol