Excitement filled City Hall on Nov. 5, as the Stillwater City Council issued a proclamation celebrating three unified programs, TRUST Club, Unified Cheer Squad and the Rock and Rollers Unified Band collectively known as the Inclusion Revolution.

The hall was filled with members of these groups, their families and friends and the overwhelming sense of pride was electrifying.

“Proclamations are a way for the city council to recognize groups, organizations or just do gooders in our community who are working towards uplifting, making our community better, volunteering their time and going above and beyond in something. It’s just a way for the city to really lift up the work that they’re doing in our community,” City Council member Lindsay Belland said.

Together, these programs create meaningful opportunities for students of all abilities to participate in their school community, form lasting friendships and be valued for their unique contributions.

“My hope is that it will continue to help grow our programs, raise awareness and recognition for all of the different things that all of the students are involved in, and all the wonderful things that we are doing, not just at Stillwater High School, but for the community as a whole,” TRUST Club advisor Nick Hoff said.

“

This acknowledgement from the city underscores the dedication of the students leading the Inclusion Revolution and emphasizes the importance of expanding opportunities for everyone to feel included, appreciated and respected.

Junior Maddie Savelkoul is on the TRUST Club leadership team and helps run the unified cheer squad. She has high hopes for this proclamation helping to advance the Inclusion Revolution.

“I don’t know, maybe just so more people know about it, spread more awareness, and hopefully people will understand it more and be able to look at it in a different light,” Savelkoul said.

The influence of these programs extends far beyond the school hallways-spreading awareness throughout the community about what’s possible when people work together and believe in inclusion for all.

“The process of getting a proclamation is to have somebody on the council or the city sort of notice, recognize and see the value of the group or organization, provide some information and get approval from our city admin. Then we put the proclamation together in a collaboration with our city staff,” Belland said.

As Mayor Ted Kozlowski read the proclamations for each group he declared Nov. 6-8 as Stillwater Area High School TRUST Club day, Unified Cheer Squad day and Unified Band day. These declarations filled the room with overwhelming pride and joy as those in attendance were overcome with emotions. The cheering and applause echoed throughout the room.

“I think the core value of all three of these groups is just that everybody belongs,” Belland said.

The Unified Cheer Squad’s motto says it best: Inclusion is our cheer. Here in Stillwater, that spirit shines in everything they do.

This story was originally published on The Pony Express on November 7, 2025.