Whale Talk Volume 1 Issue 1
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Table of Contents
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About this Newsletter 3 President’s Letter 4 A Year in Review 5 Farewell Seniors! 7 Looking Forward 9 Summer Opportunities 11 Officer Contact Info 12
Nestled among the San Juan Islands floats Fidalgo Island, an island that is half retirement community, half hipster haven. The Anacortes Key Club may not quite be the lifeblood of this eccentric community, but surely the town of Anacortes wouldn’t be the same without it. The words of the Key Club motto, “I pledge on my honor, to uphold the objects of Key Club International: to build my home, school, and community: to serve my nation and God: and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions”, is thoroughly ingrained in every active member of our club. These faithful community servants keep these words in mind when living their lives, and seek to better their world in every way they know how. The members of the Anacortes Key Club have many mascots, their school’s Seahawk, their club’s Whale, their division’s Samurai, and their district’s Moose, but they have only one allegiance, the allegiance to leadership, inclusiveness, caring, and character building. These core values show through in the ways they provide for their community; they trick-or-treat for UNICEF, and pick up the community’s Christmas trees annually, as well as perform various other acts of selflessness for those around them. You can find the mem-
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Abou t bers of the Anacortes chapter of Key Club selling secondhand wares at the Kiwanis shop, organizing food for the needy at the Salvation Army, teaching young children the ways of the world at the Boys and Girls Club, or any number of other noble pursuits any day of the week. It may be a mystery to some how these teenagers are so motivated to serve their community, but it’s no puzzle to us: the nature of Key Club breeds this compassionate spirit, along with a sense of comradery among all its members. If you were to ask any of our key clubbers (or at least those who have attended DCON) how they feel, they would likely reply “I feel so good! Oh, I feel so good!” after which the chant would descend into undecipherable grunting of varying cadences; the meaning behind the chant is still clearly evident, however, the members of Key Club in Anacortes, and all across the world, are optimistic people who are excited about the world and the part they get to play in it. It’s an honor to be a part of an organization filled with people like that.
Dear Key Club, The year may be winding down however there are still volunteer opportunities over the summer you don’t want to miss out on! I hope to see you all at the snow cone booth this summer, and helping out in the community. This year has been a blast and I can’t wait for next year’s activities to start up. Thank you all for being so involved and making this year so much fun! You are all amazing and I look forward to working with you next year. Have a wonderful summer full of service and fun! See you next year! In Love and Service, Lauren Doster Club President Anacortes High School Key Club International dostelau000@stu.asd103.org (360) 420-6715
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A YEAR
The age old question that rings anew at both the end and beginning of each new year: how to sum up an entire year? The Chinese used metaphorical animals to symbolize the characteristics and importance of each year; fashion blogs and magazines use colors; many chose to usher in new years with fanfare and promises of a better future, without much reflection on the years past. Here at Key Club we like to look at things in a different way. Last year can’t be summed up in a few short phrases or symbols.We’ve done so much since the start of the year in September, and come so far since that first meeting. This was a year of change. Our first meeting of the year was al-
R IN REVIEW most unrecognizable from those of the year prior. We changed meeting times, location, advisors, officers, and the our whole way of doing things. Our board, Kyle Campbell, Kevin Xue, Katie Dyer, Lucas Gordon, and Lauren Doster were set on switching things up, with the help of new advisors Mr. Johnston and Mrs. Fankhauser. Meetings began to start with candy, and end with a weekly raffle, leaving club morale high. We had a blast Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF on Halloween, and lugging around people’s discarded trees for charity at the Christmas Tree Pick-up. DCON was in a state of transition this year as well. It’s new location allowed for more freedom on the part of participants. While some of the freedom led to disorganized chaos, everyone enjoyed themselves, and the chaos only served to knit our club tighter together. There was stiff competition when it came time to elect officers, with not a single person running unop-
posed for any of our five offices. When the dust settled we were left in the capable hands of Lauren Doster as President, Collin Smolsnik as VP, Hunter Wickman as Treasurer, Kate Baker as Secretary, and Alex Hanesworth as Bulletin Editor. This new board instituted changes of their own, beginning each meeting with Key Club trivia, and becoming more involved in district events. It has been an amazing year for this club, one filled with many twists and turns, but ultimately one that led us in the right direction. We will get to look back with fondness on all the memories we have forged this year. We can only hope that next year will be just as great. See you next fall!
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A flurry of excitement fills the air at AHS when the caps and gowns arrive. Graduation, the end of a long run in high school, is actually palpable now. Then it sets in, graduation will mean freedom, but it will also mean loss. We’ve grown awfully attached to our seniors and this sense of nostalgia and melancholy has hit us harder than some. We want to recognize them for being awesome, and wish them luck in the wider world. They’ve all done amazing things throughout their time in high school, and while Key Club is just one of those things, we like to think it’s an important one. Lily Sadighmehr, Mary-Ellen Reyna, Kyle Campbell, Kevin Xue, Lucas Gordon, Chloe Bisping, and Maxwell Crabill were all dedicated members of our club. We asked these talented and wonderful members to talk about what Key Club meant to them over the years. Former Vice President and Valedictorian Kevin Xue explained that it instilled strong leadership skills in him, and furthered his ability to work effectively with others. Lily Sadighmehr, committed member and current ASB Secretary, responded, “Key club has helped me pursue my passion for serving others. It gives me an easy way to volunteer and serve the community”. Former President and Treasurer and current ASB Business Manager, Lucas Gordon, answered that key club gave him confidence, and a new desire to take initiative, and step up to the challenges he faces. Unforgettable memories are made
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during high school that each of us will look back on the rest of our lives. These outstanding seniors each had particularly fond memories of their time in Key Club. Lily cherished her memories of Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF and her friendship with Mr. Stark. The Christmas Tree Pickup 2013 was a special favorite of Lucas’s. He was president at the time, and after stressing about everything that could go wrong, he watched it all come together through the power of service. Kevin reminisced about bringing together people from all walks of life, Key Club or not, into the Key Club Relay for Life team. We were lucky enough to record some sage advice from these old-timers for incoming and returning Key Clubbers alike. Kevin and Lily urged participation and trying out new volunteering opportunities. Lucas advised, “Find something you like and become a master in it. Completely devote yourself to a single project, just one, and you’ll find yourself a totally different person. There’s no trophy for spreading yourself thin”. Well said Lucas, well said. Farewell to all our lovely seniors, and may you succeed wherever life takes you next!
l l e w e aSreniors!
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Seattle Rally:
This district-wide party gives you a chance to attend workshops, improve yourself, and meet new people. On August 7th, 2014, at Kentridge High School, key clubers from around the district will gather to hear a guest speaker, and enjoy themselves.
Portland Area KeyLeader:
Make friends, gain leadership skills, eat food, and enjoy the Oregon woodlands at Camp Collins, Gresham from October 2426, 2014. Keep your calendar clear so you can attend this leadership weekend next year!
Seattle Area KeyLeader:
This leadership camp will be at Camp Sambica, Bellevue from November 7-9, 2014, and will be similar to the Portland KeyLeader. Save the date!
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We look, not at the past, but at the endless expanse of the unknown. We will step bravely towards that great unknown, armed w i t h the dedication, leadership skills, and sense of optimism Key Club has engendered in us. It won’t be any great or terrifying leap into the mysteries of next year, however, as Key Club stays busy helping the community throughout the summer months. When our peers are lazing around beaches
and more likely their computer screens, we Key Clubbers are out and about, bustling to better the lives of those around us. We will ease gently into a new year, one of discovery and of possibility. Next year will be a year chock full of the same spirit and community that has always been an important part of Key Club. Remember to enjoy your summer, and keep up that Key Club spirit throughout the dog days. We hope to see you next September!
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Eliminate Week
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Our key club is doing its part to contribute to this extraordinary charity. We are selling candy grams to the school to raise money and help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus in developing nations around the world. If you are interested in helping, contact Erica Walkley.
Our regular service opportunities plus lots of others continue well into the summer. Contact any of our officers, or the counseling office for more information.
Summer of service
Arts Festival
Help fundraise for next year by selling snow cones at this celebration of the arts. You get to listen to talented musicians, look at beautiful art, and marvel at strange out-of-towners, all while getting community service hours, and money for your key club.
Fourth of July
Volunteer at the Fourth of July parade and show your pride for your nation at the same time you show your pride for Key Club. This fundraiser helps us pay for all the fun things we do throughout the year.
Snow Cones
Can’t make it to help at the Fourth of July parade, or the Arts festival? Never fear! We sell snow cones at a variety of different events throughout the summer, and we can almost guarantee you’ll be able to make it to one of them (note: this is not an official guarantee and is not binding by law). Ask an officer for more information!
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President Lauren Doster Phone: (360) 420-6715 E-mail: dostelau000@stu. asd103.org Treasurer Hunter Wickman Phone: (360) 333-7065 E-mail: wickmhun@gmail. com
Vice President Collin Smolsnik E-mail: collinsmolsnik@yahoo.com Secretary Kate Baker
E-mail: kcbaker16@gmail.
com Bulletin Editor Alex Hanesworth Phone: (360) 510-6132
E-mail: alexhanesworth@ gmail.com
Contact Info
Volume 1 Issue 1 If you have any Key Club related pictures, quotes, or stories, or feedback about the newsletter send them to Alex Hanesworth at alexhanesworth@gmail.com. Thanks for reading, and have a great summer!