August Newsletter

The Official Newsletter of the Cypress Woods High School Key Club

Volume 2, Issue 3 August 5, 2013

KEY FACTS Spotlight:

Volunteering

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Once I became immersed in the challenge of telling such a wonderful story on stage, I did not even notice the time flying by.

Aranka Barbe

Not your typical volunteer opportunity, but equally rewarding (page 5)

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President’s Letter

See what President Bryan Veit has to say.

New Members Find out how to start the year with high membership.

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Summer Service One Key Clubber’s volunteering experience this summer

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CONTRIBUTIONS ARTICLES Aranka Barbe Drishti Wadhwa Priscilla Lam Natasha Solanki Dang Dinh Gina Zhang Gaurav Lalsinghani

PRESIDENT’S LETTER Bryan Veit COVER PHOTO Aranka Barbe FALL RALLY AD Grace Liu

CONTENTS 03

A word from your club President

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Impact of 3N’s summer PCMs

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What makes Key Club so special?

Experiences at K2 Academy

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Sign up for events coming soon!

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3 A letter from your

Club President Dear fellow Key Clubbers,

Can you see that thing that lingers in the near future? Oh, it’s a bittersweet sight. It’s the end of summer, and it’s closer than it really appears. But considering its inevitability, we must embrace all the positive aspects that come with the cessation of summer and the genesis of the school year. You get to embrace all your missed friends, teachers, and textbooks. But above all things, you get to augment your involvement in Key Club.

Many of you have experienced quite a long hiatus from Key Club and volunteering during these past weeks of summer. Such a disconnect from service can make it difficult to get involved once again, let alone get excited about it. But while in this state of stupor, you must allow yourself to see all the wonderful aspects of Key Club that make it unique in order to invoke excitement for serving.

So what makes Key Club so unique? Well, Key Club International is a hands-on organization—relying on sheer man power to change communities around the globe rather than strictly relying on monetary donations. Key Club is student-led. Sure, other organizations involve schools and students, but Key Club is one of the few that truly relies on the ingenuity and responsibility of young adults to run a successful establishment and bolster its cause. This unique approach to governance allows for students to learn valid leadership skills. This applies to the officers of a club as well as the members—by simply volunteering, you promote yourself into a position of leadership in your community. These leadership skills carry on into each member’s future and consequently enrich the community for which they initially served. This beautiful cycle of service and leadership helps Key Club carry out the mission of its parent organization, Kiwanis. This mission is to serve the children of the world. This obviously is a noble mission, for, though cliché, children are our future. And once realizing that the collective Key Club emphasis is on service, leadership, and children, it is easy to tell why it is also such a diverse organization. People from across this kaleidoscopic globe–of all creeds, colors, and countries— realize that we need a benevolent force to combat the overwhelmingly negativity, and they realize that Key Club is that force. Knowing that you can be a part of this force should be motivation enough to get you excited for this coming school year, a year that holds so much potential when it comes to serving others and serving the world.

I can’t wait to see all of you at express! Be sure to pick up a new application—even returning members need to renew their membership. There are many opportunities already to serve and curb your anticipation, so hop to it! Enjoy these last few days of summer, but realize good things lie ahead.

In service,

Bryan J. Veit President of Cy Woods Key Club

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Spotlight: Volunteering

Service opportunity encourages appreciation of local arts group The lights dim.

The audience falls silent.

The music begins and on strides the Fiddler, exp er tly playing the o p e n i n g melody of the musical Fiddler on the Roof as he crosses the stage, other actors singing behind him.

Trailing this starring character and many others throughout the show are bright spotlights, illuminating their every triumph and every downfall at which the captivated audience will marvel.

This summer I volunteered at the Houston Family Arts Center, manning one of the two “spots” during the production process.

Though lighting actors’ faces as

they illustrate a turn-of-the-century Jewish community repressed by tsarist rule does not sound like your everyday volunteer work, it is every bit as rewarding. Two hours before each performance, I arrived at the Berry Center to warm up the lights and listen to the director’s comments, helping to set up props and assemble costumes backstage. There is something unique about “theatre people.”

Simultaneously immersed in the focus required for the show and bubbling with creativity, they are a wonderfully energetic group of fun, hardworking people who will never give less than 100% effort simply for the joy of doing so.

Joining the crew of this production several weeks ago I was new to the process of backstage volunteering, oblivious to the strict way the show had to be run in order to be a success. Thanks to

the dedication and enthusiasm of the cast and crew, however, I was caught up and ready to spot the show in just a few days. Manning a spotlight for HFAC has its perks as well; you get to see every single show for free! From the lights’ box at the back of the theatre, I could see every corner of the stage and point out problems with props or costumes that crew members backstage could not see. The hours were long, with four hour rehearsals and shows three days a week, but once I became immersed in the challenge of telling such a wonderful story on stage, I did not even notice the time flying by.

The best part of volunteering for the Houston Family Arts Center was the reaction of the audience. Groups from every age group–from toddlers with parents to nursing home residents with grandchildren—filled the hall with

anxious babble before the show and with heavy silence throughout its duration. No matter what their backgrounds or places in life, these hundreds of diverse people were, in a very unique way, brought together every time they rolled with laughter or blinked back tears.

They shared the characters’ joy and pain, their faces morphing from jovial smiles during the wedding scene to mortified grimaces as the oppressive Russians—wait, I can’t spoil the show now, can I? What I can attest to, however, are the rewards of volunteering for this incredible theatre: getting to know a truly remarkable group of people and helping to produce a production that brought our community together. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Perhaps for the next production you, too, will be helping to put on such an incredible show.

Serving the Most Special Key Clubbers donate time and love to special needs children Cy Woods Key Club is staying involved throughout the community during the summer, as well as during the school year. We are hosting various events, including events at the K2 Academy and helping at triathlons hosted by Kiwanis. The members of our club get a head start on community service hours for the school year by volunteering in their spare time throughout the summer.

The members love to go to K2 Academy and meet all the different kids. K2 Academy is a monthly event where parents of special needs children can let their kids stay for a few hours while they go out and get things done without having to worry. At the K2 Academy, they hold a respite for children with disabilities and the Key Clubbers happily play with the children for a few hours. When I went there, the Program Coordinator started off by telling us the names

of each and every one of the kids, what they are like, and what their disabilities were. There were several different kinds of kids there, like people with Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, and more.

There were kids there that liked to run around, some who wanted to jump on the trampoline, and others that just wanted to sit and chat. Some may be shy at first, but you have to be active and talk to them. Once you spend time with them, you can learn a bunch of new things from them.

I thought the experience was interesting, lots of fun, and worth going to. You get to meet lots of new people and have fun with them, and by the end of the day, you have a new friend. It’s a great thing to do in the summer every month because you are making another person in the world happy just by spending time with them.

All they want from you is for you to enjoy playing with them and have fun. Each volunteer is paired up with a different child. They stay together throughout the night, going from trampoline to trampoline and only stopping for a snack if wanted by the child. Members love this

event because it is very handson, and you get to interact with the kids, which is different than most events.

I’ve gone to this event several times and love to meet the children.

It is interesting, because you Cy Woods Key Clubbers get to know the holding one of the children from the K2 Academy child and what Photo by: Drishti Wadhwa they like so that the next time you go, you’ll know exactly what to do with them, whether it be jumping on the trampoline or just sitting around. The parents are always very grateful for the help; it gets their minds off of things. It is great to see the direct impact our club can have on the community.

6 More Than Just A Meeting 3N PCMs are fun, friendship, and service all in one.

Around two weeks ago, I attended the July PCM, along with many other Key Clubbers from all around 3N. The meeting was led by Gabi Bradshaw, 3N Lieutenant Governor, who held an exciting and active meeting.

We started with playing some games, like Sardines, where one person hides and everyone must locate where they are hidden, and the one that finds him/her last is “it.� Once the games were over, Gabi started the meeting by giving us some coming up, such as Fall Rally. information about events From what I experienced, the meeting was effective and successful.

To ensure that our division has a successful meeting, we have to create a spark to persuade people to attend. The meeting has to be fun and exciting to grab people's attention, which can be achieved by having games and food. Some games could Key Clubbers at the July PCM at Telge Park played in an be icebreakers interactive game. that help Photo by: Priscilla Lam

Division 3N July PCM at Telge Park Photo by: Nikki Carter

everyone get to know each other better.

PCMs are opportunities to make new friends and talk to other Key Clubbers from around your district. One thing everyone loves is food. With food comes people. If food is provided, most likely more people will show up.

The leader has to be engaging and involve the Key Clubbers in the meeting. All the PCMs are always successful because of the wonderful Key Club members and the LTG. Key Clubbers are all spontaneous and show passion, therefore making the meeting a success. To run a good meeting, the speaker must have good leadership skills including having confidence, responsibility, honesty, and courage. They have to know how to manage the meeting to keep it flowing and keep the people busy and going. The

meeting should be planned accordingly, and the speaker should stay on schedule so that they don't go past the end time of the meeting. Everyone should stay on track, focusing on what the speaker says and should participate in the events planned. The speaker should be prepared and on time, as well as the Key Clubbers. Don't have everything planned out too strictly, because that ruins the enjoyment, so remember to have fun while staying on topic.

Everyone should be cheerful, and the meeting should have a purpose. Another way to gain more attendees is to make the location at an accessible spot where most, hopefully all, the schools are close to, so they have easy access for transportation. Don't forget to make the PCM worthwhile and unforgettable; hanging with Key Clubbers is always a joy!

7 Attracting New Club Members

Encouraging students to join Key Club at the start of the year is critical.

A l o n g with the excitement, anxiety, and energy of a new school year, all clubs face the challenge of recruiting new members. Every year clubs struggle to find new and exciting ways to promote themselves. Common ways of promotion usually include flyers or posters, however, if Key Clubs really want to increase their membership, they should think outside the box.

For example, a way to promote the club is to hold volunteering opportunities during the summer. This allows previous members to earn their hours earlier in the year, and it allows them to dive right into the spirit of volunteering. Even the smallest summer events can ensure that members will return the following school year. However, it is important that a club enforces that Key Club is not all just work.

Key Club is an organization that incorporates fun activities and communication into a network of volunteering. So, another way to promote the club is to hold social events during the summer. Invite all previous members and even incoming freshman so that they can get a feel of the Key Club atmosphere.

When clubs get their members to come together at events like these, members realize that

the club is exciting, and as a result, they sign up.

Another way clubs can promote membership is by setting up a booth at orientation. Clubs should use a creative display, and an effective way to display information about the club.

Freshman orientations can be an especially important opportunity to gain members because all freshmen are looking for ways to join the “high school experience,” and as we all know, Key Club is a great way to do that. Key Club officers and representatives should be present at orientations, handing out flyers and information to parents and students. Getting the word out is the most important part of expanding your club.

Lastly, clubs can promote membership by giving out advantages of joining this club through school announcements. All students hear the announcements in the morning, and it is an excellent way to get information across. Officers can give information about the club, and when and where the first meeting is.

All of these forms of advertisement can promote a clubs membership, but in the end, it all depends on how much a club’s officers and members are willing to work. Key Club is an organization built on team work, so if a club really wants to promote their club, they need to come together and think of even more creative ways to gain members.

Upcoming Events Wildcat Express

August 17

Inspiring Possibilities BBQ Cook-off August 17, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM McFee Madness August 17, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM K2 Academy Respite August 17, 5:30 - 8:30 PM Freshman Orientation August 20, 6:00 - 8:00 PM Sampson Meet-The-Teacher August 22, 5:00 - 7:00 PM August 23, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Applause Theatre Clean-up September 1/5, 3:30 - 5:30 PM

8 What’s the Score?

The ins and outs of what makes Key Club different K e y Club is an organization of service.

Some of us might think, “So what?

Many other clubs and organizations at school or around the country are dedicated to service. What makes Key Club so different?”

First and foremost, Key Club is a completely studentled organization.

Most organizations around the country rely on students merely working events and helping out with the overall mission, with adults being the head of the administration, but that is not the case with Key Club. From the local club level that can be found in many schools, students take an active role in ensuring the club remains successful. The officers of the club contact possible event coordinators to create an event at which the members can volunteer. They then ensure that the members receive the proper information about the event and remain in contact with the coordinator to ensure the event proceeds as scheduled. Although we do have adult advisors who advise us on certain decisions for the club, ultimately it up to the students in charge to have the final say. That in a nutshell is the local club level.

Moving up past the local club level is the divisional level. Here, a certain amount of clubs are grouped together

in a Division, which is run by the Lieutenant Governor, who is also a student elected from one of the various clubs.

Finally, we have the District Board which is composed of the Lieutenant Governors of the various division and five more students who take the position of District Governor, District Secretary, District Treasurer, District Editor, and Convention Liaison.

This group of individuals organizes and maintains the standards and success of the entire District. But the list doesn’t stop there; there is also an international level, which is also run by students. So as you can see, there are many positions which are all studentheld, but also give students enormous opportunity to make a difference. However, that’s not the only thing that makes Key Club “different.”

Key Club also has an hours requirement that every member is responsible f o r completing.

While this requirement can deviate dep end ing on the certain club, one thing is certain: they all must come from

service. Cy Woods Key Club, for instance, has a 25 hour requirement per semester.

Although this appears enormous, there are many opportunities for members to receive their hours. First, only 15 must come from events that the club provides to our members. Ten hours can come from an outside source, such as volunteering at your local church, and five hours can come from the various donation drives we do during the year.

Together, the hours requirements, the opportunities to lead an organization, and the extensive 2012-2013 Cy Woods President opportunities to give back Derielle Keiser with the trophy won for Best T-Shirt at DCON 2013 to the community all add Photo by: Nikki Carter up to make Key Club an organization that stands out So, my question to you is, “Are compared to its competition. you ready to join?”

Cy Woods Key Clubbers at DCON 2013 Photo by: Derinda Keiser

9 The Key To A High School Club Why Key Club is like no other high school organization The first high school student-based organization was created in California in 1925.

Ever since then, many different clubs have been founded, such as the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, and the National Beta Club.

However, a club named Key Club has made it today as the largest student-based organization in the world. It is one of the few school organizations that stands out from the others. What makes Key Club original and different compared to other high school clubs? The answer is simple.

The purpose of the club is to provide acts of service in the community. Joining Key Club to perform various different volunteer works can also be beneficial to students because it can broaden a student’s

teamwork abilities and strengthen his leadership skills. Other high school organizations may only revolve around a career interest, but Key Club offers high school students both community service work and a possible road to their future careers.

Members of Key Club engage in many different acts of services in their community, such as working at concessions or collecting donations for individuals that have experienced losses due to disasters. While performing these service activities, students practice working with others as a team and building leadership skills by communicating with each other to complete a task. A student’s experience from volunteering can be useful when college applications come around. Performing community service reveals to colleges that a student is able to work successfully with others, commit to something, and is well-rounded.

Volunteering not only has a positive effect on the community, but it also gives an advantage to the students. By joining Key Club, students can find more opportunities and explore their interests.

Service work can expose students to fun activities, people with common interests, or lead a student on a path to his future career. Key Club is not just about volunteering for others like a chore you have to do; it’s also about finding something about yourself that you might not have realized before.

Key Club can easily be distinguished from other school organizations not just because it is well-known, but because it’s about leaving your regular social life to take the opportunity to make a difference for the world. Every single Key Club member’s efforts and devoted time in all the Key Clubs around the world together make an international impact on many lives.

Volunteer at

Wildcat Express!

Saturday, August 17 Seniors 9:00-10:45 Sophomores 11:00-12:45 Juniors 1:00-2:45 Tuesday, August 20 Freshmen 6:30-8:00

Get volunteer hours before the school year gets busy!

10 Summer Service The Cy Woods Key Club did not slow down during the break.

Over 30 Key Club volunteers sit along a cafeteria-style table, listening as a list of children’s names is read aloud. We learn little facts about each one. One loves to play with PlayDoh. Another will drink six or seven Capri-Suns in one sitting. A third will want to sit and chat about her collection of Pokémon. Their personalities are

all unique; we eagerly await their arrival to see with whom we will be paired for the night.

As a kindness to parents of children with disabilities, the K2 Academy Gymnastics Center offers a monthly “respite” where the kids can play games, jump on the trampolines, watch movies, and complete crafts with volunteers.

For a few hours, we get to know these kids, talking and laughing with them—and see beyond their disabilities.

Children are offered a plethora of activities at K2’s monthly respites.

Photo by: Gaurav Lalsinghani

The first time I attended Respite, I was paired with an eleven-year old boy with autism, who shocked me as he climbed to the very top of a thick rope that extended from the floor to the ceiling. After climbing to the top, he would proceed to let go of one hand and look around the gymnastics center, completely comfortable being suspended thirty feet in the air. He could hang upside down from the gymnast bars without breaking a sweat. Needless to say, I was awed by his strength.

On my most recent trip to K2 Academy, I was paired with a two-year old boy, a sibling of a child with autism. He got along exceptionally well with all of the other children and for 2 ½ hours I chased him around the gymnastics center—under balance beams, across trampolines, and through the various playrooms, laughing the whole time.

The Cypress Woods Key Club has had the privilege of working with the children at the K2 Academy Gymnastics Center several times— each time more rewarding than the last. The event has time and time again proved to be an engaging experience for Key Clubbers and the children. With the ongoing summer break, the event has Although at first complete strangers, by the end of the night all of the volunteers had bonded with their child Working with these children, each so compassionate and trusting, is always a great experience, and one that I look forward to continuing in the future.

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Contact Information Cy Woods Key Club Officers President Bryan Veit bryveit1995@gmail.com 281-757-7061 Vice Preisdent Natasha Solanki natasha.solanki@hotmail.com 281-904-7873 Secretary Dang Dinh dang.qdinh@gmail.com 281-723-5695 Editor Nikki Carter ncarter37@sbcglobal.net 713-855-1645 Treasurer Kelli Brusen kcb400@sbcglobal.net 832-573-0187 Historian Holly Paterson holly.paterson@yahoo.com 832-349-0614 Representative Coordinator Gaurav Lalsinghani gaunir@yahoo.com 281-796-7349 Webmaster Nicholas Nguyen nick.erik2010@yahoo.com 281 -849-4885 K-Family Board Derielle Keiser derielle.keiser@yahoo.com 281-889-0885 Ryan Lucker rjlucker@yahoo.com 832-334-1033 Kelsey Foulds kelseyfoulds@entouch.net 281 -253-8280 Madelin Cowden madelin11@live.com 281 -210-6456 Drishti Wadhwa drishtiw@yahoo.com 713-614-2052

Division 3N Lieutenant Governor

Gabi Bradshaw Cypress Falls gabibradshaw3nltg@gmail.com 832-341 -6930

Texas-Oklahoma District Staff Governor Luke Broussard governor@tokeyclub.com 325-998-1384 Secretary Usman Hyder secretary@tokeyclub.com 817-715-5111 Treasurer Isaiah Vallequinones treasurer@tokeyclub.com 580-458-1432 Editor Tashrima Hossain editor@tokeyclub.com 713-505-2252 Convention Liason Grace Liu conventionliason@tokeyclub.com 817-962-8945

KEY FACTS

CY WOODS KEY CLUB // AUGUST 2013