W.C. Bryant High School Key Club Division 8A 11103
48-10 31st avenue, Queens, NY
Editor’s Email: mahenoorbaig@yahoo.com
Issue 2
Hello, Key Clubbers! With finals and Regents approaching, summer cannot come faster more than ever now. I would like to thank all of Bryant’s Key Club members for a wonderful and splendid service year. I would also like to give a huge thanks to our old officers for giving us a lovely year filled with dedication and good memories. Farewell thanks go to our immediate past president, Hina Khawaja, immediate past vice-president, Fahad Huq, immediate past secretary (who is now our president), Samer Khawaja, immediate past co-secretary, Tashrique Khandaker, immediate past treasurer, Walaa Ahmed, immediate past co-treasurer, Brian Wong, immediate past editor (who is now District 8A’s lieutenant governor), Carla Pacheco, and our immediate past webmaster, Siddhartha Tamang. Thank you so much for giving us such a fantastic year to remember!
Mahenoor Baig William Cullen Bryant Key Club Editor New York District
TD Bank Bike Tour The beaming sun of May 1st found 30,000 cyclists and numerous volunteers crowding the streets of New York City. As the annual TD Bank Five Borough Bike Tour passed through its first checkpoint, a row of tables stacked with water greeted them with offers of replenishment. These tables had at hand the Bryant Key Club, dedicated clubbers who devoted a beautiful Sunday to helping enthusiastic bikers from as far as Chicago and beyond. With beaming smiles and roaring cheers, the clubbers dispensed water and encouraged participating bikers to carry on their journey. Tasked with refilling multiple 10 gallon water tanks, a hosepipe was connected to the city’s water supply via a fire hydrant. Jonathan Disla, among many others, could be seen drenched in water, carrying water bottles and pipes to keep up with the bustling bikers. By the end of the event, Bryant Key Clubbers had served more than 30,000 bikers over 5 hours. The day ended with lunch and sport at the adjacent park and another memorable chapter in Bryant Key Club history. FAHAD HUQ
Special Olympics
The Special Olympics is a tournament held for people of all ages who have disabilities. It is a chance for them to have fun while playing simple sports that are not only playable, but are also not harmful in any way. William C. Bryant’s
Key Club attended this year’s Special Olympics, which was held in Victory Field, Forest Park. It was an event noteworthy enough to remember for the rest of my life. It made a huge impact on everyone who attended the event. Seeing the smiles on the players’ faces after playing simple tasks was a blessing for everyone and it was all because of Key Club that it happened. Our past lieutenant governor, Christina, and our current lieutenant governor, Carla attended along with five members. We were stationed to help out at the softball game, which was unlike regular softball. Francisco, our vice president, guided the people who were participating in the game back and forth from the awards table to the field. Carla, Christina, and another member from another school were stationed in one court. Cindy, Koko, Luisa, Annuary, and I were to help the people throw the bean sacks (which were used to impersonate softballs for safety reasons) and cheer them on. MAHENOOR BAIG
Greek Division Walk The Greek Division Walk was held on May 14, 2011 in order to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House. When we first arrived—our group that day was small, but dedicated— we were a bit confused about what to do and how to proceed. We quickly figured out what to do and registered for the walk. Within moments, we were told that before the walk, we could get free breakfast. They were also giving out free cell phone holders, one that was in the shape of Key Club’s beloved mascot the beaver. We had arrived a bit early, it had seemed. It was until about an hour after we’d signed up that the walk began. As we were walking, we were given balloons in the colors of red, blue, and white, representing the Greek and American flag. Some of us were rubbing the balloons on the hair of the others to create static and make their hair stick up. I felt like we had barely walked by the time we were finished with it since we had such a blast throughout the walk. When we reached the finish line, there were kebabs and drinks waiting for us, along with entertainment. Other than our own Bryant Greek Club being there with us, the Bryant Gymnastics group was there as well. They did many amazing stunts that left us Key Clubbers in awe. Finally, we decided that it was getting late and had to leave. So, pulling away a few unwilling members who wanted to watch the performances, we left for the train station, hoping that we wouldn’t make any mistakes in the Subway when trying to get home. HOSNA SARWARY
AIDS Walk Beginning in 1986, the AIDS Walk has become an annual event, which has raised over a hundred and five million dollars in the past years. This year’s walk proved to be eventful than ever. Bryant’s Key Club all met in front of our school at nine in the morning to attend this event. Thinking it was the end of the year and not many people would show up, I was shocked to see the amount of people that did come. Not only did Key Club attend, but so did Bryant’s very own Gay-Straight Alliance Club. Merging together, we arrived at Central Park sporting excited faces. Central Park was bustling with people when we arrived there. We automatically split into small groups, standing in corners with our friends. Monnie, one of Bryant’s Key Clubbers, was ordered to hold the “Key Club” sign as we began walking. We passed beautiful scenery, such as trees, mini waterfalls, etc… The walk itself was a full seven miles, with pit stops along the way, but our members were determined to finish, and finish we did! MAHENOOR BAIG
Asthma Walk The Air Walk, formerly known as the Asthma Walk, took place last Saturday the 21st of May. Besides having to wake up early and meet up at six o’clock in front of the school, we had one heck of a time. I am deeply sorry for the trains, I was unaware that there would be so many service changes and that going to Battery Park would take two hours. Thanks to the officers and the members, we were able to get back on track and head correctly towards our destination. Even though, we were late for the volunteer check in, Lauren, the coordinator, was sweet enough to catch us up with all the other volunteers. We were designated on various checkpoints as Volunteer Marshalls, directing the walkers on the correct path. We sported red t-shirts. We had about thirty people attend this event. After the walk, a short concert took place where Cee Lo Green, a famous artist performed. Many of the members got to touch him, like Monnie, who was super excited. Then we played volleyball with a bunch of volunteers who were from Stuyvesant High School. We
ended the day with eating pizza and getting lost again while returning home. The good part is that we at least got home. This walk shows the importance of always trying to keep our air clean in the environment not just for oneself but for others . So keep up the good work, Bryant Key Club, we are embarking on a new journey to make a difference in this world. :D
SAMER KHAWAJA
Upcoming Events •
June 10, 2011
June Divisional Meeting, room 339, William Cullen Bryant High School
ALL KEY CLUB MEMBERS: Please keep in touch with your fellow officers, check your emails periodically, and pay attention on Facebook for any summer events! Key Club will be having a few events over the summer, and all of you are welcome to attend! For more information, please keep in touch or check emails/Facebook. Thank you and have a lovely summer!
Contact Information President Samer Khawaja
Vice President Francisco Meneses
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Email: samerk28@gmail.com
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Email: francisc0o0@aim.com
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Number: (646) 823 – 0892
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Number: (347) 431 – 8159
Secretary Hosna Sarwary •
Email: hosna.sarwary@yahoo.com
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Number: (917) 519 – 4030
Co-Secretary Omar Shaddad •
Email: egyprinceomar@yahoo.com
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Number: (347) 639 – 6193
Treasurer Khadija Khan •
Email: didarocks@hotmail.com
Co-Treasurer Doaa Ahmed •
Email: doaaahmed95@hotmail.com
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Number: (347) 840 – 3785
Editor Mahenoor Baig •
Email: mahenoorbaig@yahoo.com
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Number: (718) 902 – 6350
Webmaster Koko Zaw •
Email: kokozaw193@gmail.com
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Number: (917) 346 - 2198