2008 Award Winner: Bill and Kay Yeomans

The USREF is proud to announce that the the 2008 recipients of the Award for Educational Excellence are Bill and Kay Yeomans. They will be honored at the fifth annual Gala scheduled for Saturday, March 29th at the Woodcliff Lake Hilton. They have dedicated themselves to the preservation of USR's rich history and to teaching the children what life was like in USR years ago.

Bill and Kay founded the USR Historical Society, the Cultural Center and established the Hopper Goetschius Museum. The Society has grown to include 500 members allowing precious artifacts and memorabilia to be collected. The Museum has grown from the original house to include barns and sheds, exemplifying a farm complex from the 1900's. Bill wrote The Lore of USR, and is the town historian. The pair developed and organize annual educational programs which bring history alive such as the Harvest Fair, Ice Cream Social, World War II Veterans Day and the fourth graders' Museum Day. She has recorded the stories of over 100 residents for future generations to hear firsthand.

In addition to working to preserve the rich history of our town, they also work to preserve the quality of USR for the future. He is Chair of the USR Environmental Committee and developed and coordinates the quarterly water assessment program of the Saddle River as well as the 6th Grade River Day. She is a trustee of Valley Hospital, designs and distributes the USR Directory each year and served on the school's expansion.

2007 Award Winner: Stephanie Karl

The USR Educational Foundation (USREF) is very proud to bestow its "Award for Educational Excellence" 2007 to Stephanie Karl, president of the Upper Saddle River Board of Education. The award is given annually to an Upper Saddle River resident who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the community as well as significant civic leadership. The recipient must be identified as a positive role model for children and be recognized by many in the community, i.e. parents, teachers, administrators, etc.

Previous recipients are Councilwoman Barbara Ripston (2004), Angela Allen and Eric Koch (2005), and Barry Ervin (2006).

Karl has been an active volunteer for many years, having served as PTO President, Coordinator of Red Ribbon Week, Crossing Guard, Religious Ed Teacher, and Scout leader. She was a member of the Youth Guidance Council and served on Project B.E.S.T. and the school's Traffic and Safety Committee. She is presently an active member of the Home and School Association at Northern Highlands, a Class Parent Liaison and a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions. Karl has served on the Upper Saddle River Board of Education for seven years and has been president for the last four.

Karl is the administrator of Helen's Hope Foundation, founded in her mother's memory. Helen's Hope bequeaths over $250,000 a year to various causes and has helped to rebuild the Children's Therapy Center, fed the hungry at the Hoboken Homeless Shelter and Eva's Village and granted scholarships to area high school seniors. Helen's Hope helps to fund the annual Senior Citizens' Prom held at Northern Highlands and is a strong supporter of Children's Aid and Family Services.

Karl explained, "My strongest desire is to be a part of making the world a better place for all children whether it's educating them, feeding and sheltering them, empowering them to reach out to others or helping them to fulfill their dreams. It has always been my privilege to be a part of the future."

Stephanie Karl and her husband, Ken, have three children, Hollie, 22, Mallory, 20 and Kris, 16. We welcome Stephanie's family, friends and neighbors tonight and proudly join them as they congratulate her on the tremendous contributions she has made to our community and our children.