Lacey McNamara

Nominee: Lacey McNamara

Does this person live or work in Los Osos? : Yes

Why do you feel this person deserves to be honored? : Lacey is an incredibly involved and loving being. She has lived in Los Osos for 6 years and owned a business out here for 8. Lyrics and Melodies Studio is a music school that serves all ages and has worked tirelessly to ensure that finances never restrict anyone's ability to make music. Lacey gives of herself with every project, person, and event she is part of. Not only is she an incredibly creative and patient teacher, she lives by the philosophy of "once my student, always my student" and continues to answer questions and help former students in their quest for musical knowledge.

Because of the costs associated with the arts, Lacey has seen firsthand the increased struggle families have in affording arts experiences on the Central Coast, as well as the difficulty arts businesses have in growing and surviving. This has led her to co-create the nonprofit, Reprise Foundation for the Arts, with the goal of making the arts more accessible on the central coast. All money raised either goes to people participating in the arts, specifically in SLO County, or to arts businesses in SLO County. This is benefited Los Osos directly in that it has supported several families and businesses that live and operate here over the past year, with plans to grow that support in the coming year.

At least twice a month, Lacey volunteers for youth programs at GALA in SLO and has volunteered at a large number of their events over the past few years. Providing a safe space for youth to be themselves without judgement is invaluable and is scientifically proven to reduce suicidal feelings in youth.

An avid scuba diver, Lacey has volunteered with every single clean up dive with the nonprofit, Revive Dive. She is a passionate advocate for our oceans and loves life underwater!

She is outstanding and I am sure does even more than I know about!