June Newsletter

KEY FACTS The Official Newsletter of the Cypress Woods High School Key Club

Volume 2, Issue 1

June 5, 2013

DCON 201 3: Behind the Scenes

in this issue...

03

Running for District Office

District DCON has been, without a doubt, one of the Convention greatest highlights ofmy year and one ofmy prime Recap

Dang Dinh Secretary

reasons for performing the best I can as an officer of Key Club. The excitement, the energy, the informative forums, and most importantly, the fun come together into an explosive weekend for anyone attending.

This year I had the opportunity to run for District Secretary, and although I did not win, I have gained many new experiences that have helped me in the long run. On the third day ofDCON, each candidate was to participate in the regional caucuses, a time where candidates gave their speeches to each region within the Texas-OklahomaDistrict. Forme, this would be the first ofmany trials as I began the fight for District Secretary. Since I am naturally an

A word from your club president

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06

Contact Information

upcoming

events

June

15

Respite at K2 Academy McFee Madness

August

17

Cy Woods Key Club officers and representatives on stage after the awards ceremony at DCON. Photo by: Derinda Keiser

August

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Inspiring Possibilities BBQ Cook足off

Wildcat Express

August

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02 introvert who never would want to of people who I have never met purposely speak in front ofa crowd, I found it very ironic that I would run for a position that would not only make me speak in front of a large crowd; but I would have to do it over 13 times in one day—and that was without the short speech during the Leadership Luncheon and the House ofDelegates.

Suffice to say, I was in over my head. I had heart palpitations, butterflies in my stomach, even small migraines. It didn’t help that I was also sick and was continuously trying to cough up my lungs. I spent hours writing, editing, and re-writing my speeches; trying whatever way possible in order to avoid thinking about speaking in front ofothers. Yet, eventually the moment was here. It was time to appeal to the audience. It was time to not freak out and stress. I gathered every ounce of nervousness, every ounce offear and locked it away in a box in the back ofmy brain. I put on a smile and walked with my escort, Kelsey Foulds, into the caucusing rooms.

The first speech was difficult.

Although I had rehearsed a little bit the night before with my club as they gave tips on where I could improve and edit, I was completely unprepared to talk in front of such a large crowd

before. But I pushed onward and gave my speech pushing forward my ideas of improving communication and turning the monthly report into an electronic process. I felt relieved when the first two minutes were up and the questioning period began because it signaled that I was close to the end of the dark tunnel around me. I answered each question as confidently and completely as I possibly could before leaving for my next room and restarting the process for preparing for the next room. The next few rooms were easier since I was simply repeating what I had done in my previous room and the process continued on and on until we reached the last room of the day, my home club’s regional room.

The next part ofthe process came during the leadership luncheon where each of the advancing candidates had to give a short one minute speech to the entire delegation gathered here.

You would think that by now I would have gotten over my fear of speaking in front ofothers. But no, it resurfaced during the period we had lunch and throughout the Texas-Oklahoma Quiz Bowl. But I swallowed it again and quickly delivered the second to last speech I will ever have to do at the 2013 DCON.

Cy Woods Key Club officers and representatives in the Sheraton Hotel in Dallas, Texas, during DCON before heading to forums.

Photo by: Derinda Keiser

Drishti Wadwha and Dang Dinh, who ran for District Editor and Secretary.

Photo by: Derielle Keiser

Finally came the House of Delegates, the last physical trial. By then I don’t know whether my fear finally overloaded my system and shut itself down or whether I subconsciously felt ready after delivering 14 speeches in one day, but I calmly walked into the room and gave mylast speech ofthe day.

This experience has taught me a great deal about myself that I never known. That if I truly wanted to do something, anything; I could push myselfpass my limit to pursue my goal.

I realized that I could speak in public without fearing that I would pass out from stress. I realized that throughout this whole process, I’ve met many new people and became friends with most of them. Finally, I realized that sometimes you win but sometimes you also lose but no matter what you gave an effort to try and that is my advice to anyone interested in applying for any opportunity, not just running for a District Position. Ifyou are thinking of reasons why you should run for such and such position or applying for such and such opportunity, stop. You never know what you are capable ofuntil you attempt to achieve your goal. You are more than what you think you are and that is what makes you successful.

03 A letter from your

Club President Dear fellow Key Clubbers, As summer approaches us with haste, it is easy to neglect our obligations to Key Club and the community. However, as Cy Woods Key Club members, you know that it is important to strive beyond this temptation and uphold your responsibility. Many of the end­of­year obligations, such as elections, have already been fulfilled, thus freeing our abilities to be focused towards the noble act of service.

As previously mentioned, we have already accomplished the important task of electing and nominating new leaders. We are set up to face the trials and joys of the 2013­2014 school year with an experienced officer team and strong group of representatives. These innovative servant leaders will be an excellent force against the tasks that stand before us. They know that even though summer lingers in the near future, a break is not in sight. We must remain dedicated to service by aiding the community and also by aiding the club. An efficient and prosperous club allows for unwavering care to the world for which we serve.

And the world is continuing on despite the demise of curricular activity! Members of the community and noble organizations need our help to ensure the success of their summertime events and projects. In fact, we are already committed to multiple events. After a long hiatus, we are once again aiding in bringing smiles to the kids of K2 Academy. We also will help our community’s athletes by helping at a swim meet and various other sport concessions. These, and other events, will allow us to maintain a summer of service, and the hours that you receive from these efforts can allow you to get a head start on next year’s requirements.

However, until these events come, you can always be planning the impact that you will make next year. I cannot stress enough the importance of a well­planned course of action when it comes to serving. Always be thinking of ways we can help your school, your community, and your world. This unyielding thought is what drives beneficent forces across the globe and what drives Key Club.

But aside from further emphasis on the importance of fulfilling your responsibilities, I’d like to congratulate you on all the hard work that you have done thus far. Your efforts, whether material or manual, have augmented the honor of Cy Woods Key Club, and I know that the school, as well as the community, appreciates every second of your contribution. I hope you all have a wonderful summer. Stay serving and stay cool!

In service,

Bryan J. Veit President of Cypress Woods Key Club

04 Finishing Strong

Why it is important to fulfill end-of-year responsibilities

One ofthe great things about them in a short period of time. joining a club like Key Club is Still, it is vital for officers to that it’s big and welcoming, just perform this extremely like a family. This was clearly important job well. The people proven to me when I joined Key they choose will not only Club this year as a freshman; I continue to do what the current was welcomed by many officers are doing, but they will upperclassmen and officers. also help improve the club.

However, being such a big club These students need to be active, can be difficult, especially at the committed, and leaders. end ofthe year. That means that This year, I was chosen to be there’s going to be even more a Sophomore Representative for things to do for the officers: the upcoming 2013-2014 more paperwork, more hour school year. As the current year recording, and more officer comes to a close, I now see what interviews for next year. Even a tight-knit group our Cy Representative Coordinator though these things can be Woods officers are and can now Gaurav Lalsinghani fulfills his redundant and time consuming, fully appreciate what they have duties by briefing new everyone should fulfill their end- to do. It is amazing that these representatives on their responsibilities. of-the-year Key Club obligations outstanding students can come Photo by: Priscilla Lam in order to make sure the club together to run this big club. I continues to run smoothly and marvel at all the things the they’ve still kept their cool and efficiently. officers have done behind the fulfilled all obligations like The most important reason scenes. From the start of the interviewing new officers. why officers need to finish their school year, they’ve kept this Because of their efforts, Key obligations at the end ofthe year club running smoothly by Club is not only like a family to is so that we can get together and meeting deadlines, creating me, but to the hundreds ofother see what worked for the year and volunteering opportunities, and Key Clubbers at Cy Woods. what didn’t. This way, a club can helping Key Clubbers with Because in the end, that’s what put in what it learned this year issues about their volunteering clubs like Key Club are all about: into efforts to make the club hours. Even at the end of the family. better for next year. The end of year, when things get hectic, the year is the best time to analyze one’s efforts. If everyone finishes his or her obligations, then it will make evaluating the year even easier, therefore making a club’s efforts to improve next year easier as well.

One ofthe most important things for Key Club officers to do at the end of the year is to interview students for officer positions for the next year.

These interviews can be stressful for both the interviewer and the interviewee. Interviewers have to come up with thoughtprovoking questions that can show them who is best for the job. Interviewees are having Completing the database of club members’ hours is a crucial end­ of­year obligation to be completed before summer begins. multiple questions thrown at Photo by: Aranka Barbe

Third Time's the Charm

05

A president's perspective of the District Convention

DCON 2013 was yet again an amazing experience. This was my third DCON and it definitely was my favorite. Being President during DCON this year made it stand out even more for me. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be able to showcase all of the hard work that my officers and members put into our club this year. We were beyond excitedto be honoredas the number nine Key Club in all of Texas and Oklahoma, along with being nominated for best Newsletter, and getting First Place for our T-shirt, Second Place for our Digital Poster, the Distinguished Website award, and the District Project and Governor’s Projectpatches.

While those awards were great to receive, DCON is much more important than that. This year I met so many incredible people who are so passionate for serving in their communities through Key Club.

Not only have the people I met become good friends, but they are also great sources of information and ideas for anything Key Club related. It never ceases to amaze me

how well you can get to know a person just in one weekend, or even just in an elevator ride. That’s one of the beauties ofDCON; you are able to make long-lasting bonds and also get a ton ofideas for the upcoming year. You come home from DCON ready to tackle the world and the next year with a stockpile of great ideas.

What I liked most about this year’s DCON was how interactive the welcoming activity was. There were more service projects that people could work on and then take back home to their clubs at the end ofthe weekend. Not only that, but everyone got a kick out ofthe Key Club marriages, the large game of Twister, andthe DJ. Oh, yes, andthe dancing hotdog that turned out to be our new Governor. While I was unsure ofthe theme at first, it turned out to be perfectly executed and was carried out incredibly well over the courseoftheweekend.

Although DCON 2014 is still ten months away, I am already looking forward to my fourth and final DCON next April. I know it

Immediate Past Cypress Woods Key Club President Derielle Keiser holding the trophy won for Best T­Shirt

will be amazing once again, and I can’t wait to meet even more people and come back with even more great ideas for my club. You will always be able to get more out of eachofyourDCONexperiences.

Shattering Stereotypes DCON: Not your typical weekend of teenage fun

The loud bustle of teenagers is often associated with acts of delinquency. Late nights typically consist ofparties, movies, or school work. Normally, trusting hundreds ofteenagers in a hotel for four days will lead to disaster. Key Club and those involved with the organization break down these stereotypes with everythingtheydo.

Key Clubbers dedicate their free time to serving the community.

They dedicate hours of their precious time to causes well out of the ‘average teenager’ range.

District Convention is a time for the most dedicated members of our organization to come together, to discuss their clubs, and to share their passion for service. From the flurry of the Project Fair to the professionalism of the Awards Banquet, DCON embodies the Key Club spirit and the adolescence ofteenage life.

DCON 2013 was the epitome of Key Club. The eerie theme, “Don’t be Afraid to Serve,” was well established in the decorations and the music used throughout the convention. Roshni Chandwani organized this year’s DCON better than anyone could ever imagine. As a Key Clubber, she was able to condense the experience into the four days by inspiring all attendees to push their limits and to not fear serving.

The convention is used both as an inspirational tool and a way to bond within your own club. A strong officer team is key to any successful club. Trust must be established within the group, and what better way than to force them to spend four days of early mornings and late nights with one another? Sleep deprivation is commonly used tactic in the forceful establishment of

relationships. The relationships I established last year, at DCON 2012, gave me the final push I needed to apply for a leadership position in the club. My involvement in the club is all due to the wonderful experience I had at myfirstDCON. I expect DCON 2014 to be even better than those preceding it.

This will be my last DCON; it has to be the best yet. I have very high expectations for the convention.

However, regardless ofthe turnout, I will be impressed. The Convention Liaison accomplishes more than I could ever do. They work tirelessly to create the climax of our year, on top of maintaining their school work. I lookforward to seeingtheir hard workpayoffas the Tex-O Key District clubs fill the enormous Dallas hotel.

06

Contact Information Cy Woods Key Club Officers President Vice President Secretary Editor Historian Treasurer Representative Coordinator Webmaster K-Family Board

Bryan Veit Natasha Solanki Dang Dinh Nikki Carter Holly Paterson Kelli Brusen Gaurav Lalsinghani Nicholas Nguyen Derielle Keiser Ryan Lucker Kelsey Foulds Madelin Cowden Drishti Wadwha

bryveit1995@gmail.com natasha.solanki@hotmail.com dang.qdinh@gmail.com ncarter37@sbcglobal.net holly.paterson@yahoo.com kcb400@sbcglobal.net gaunir@yahoo.com nick.erik2010@yahoo.com derielle.keiser@yahoo.com rjlucker@yahoo.com kelseyfoulds@entouch.net madelin11@live.com drishtiw@yahoo.com

281-757-7061 281-904-7873 281-723-5695 713-855-1645 832-349-0614 832-573-0187 281-796-7349 281-849-4885 281-889-0885 832-334-1033 281-253-8280 281-210-6456 713-614-2052

Division 3N Lieutenant Governor Gabi Bradshaw

Cypress Falls

gabibradshaw3nltg@gmail.com

832-341-6930

Texas足Oklahoma District Staff Governor Secretary Treasurer Editor Convention Liason

Luke Broussard Usman Hyder Isaiah Vallequinones Tashrima Hossain Grace Liu

governor@tokeyclub.com secretary@tokeyclub.com treasurer@tokeyclub.com editor@tokeyclub.com conventionliason@tokeyclub.com

325-998-1384 817-715-5111 580-458-1432 713-505-2252

817-962-8945