July 2015
The official newsletter of the Cypress Woods High School Key Club.
KEY FACTS
Konnecting with K-Family: Our Club’s Plan For This Year
IN THIS ISSUE
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Breaking Ice, Building Bonds How our club intends to ‘Breaak the Ice’ at the first meeting.
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Keepin’ Up With Key Clubbers The skinny on all the interesting perks Key Club has to offer.
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Socials That Make a Splash The steps to a Spectacular Summer Social.
Volume 4, Issue 4 August 5, 2015
Contributions Articles Matthew Trinh Zsofia Balogh Harini Maheswaran Gabrielle Welch Sharon Zhou Jordan Miller
President’s Letter Leia George Photos Cara Lucker Ian Sims Lillian Trinh Anushua Mantrala
IN THIS ISSUE...
3 Contact Information 12 Caring- Our Way of Life 4 President’s Letter 5 August at a Glance 6 Breaking Ice, Building Bonds 7 Water Is the Key 8 Keepin’ Up With Key Clubbers 9 Socials That Make a Splash 10 Building Up Spirit 11 With Builder’s Club
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Contact Information Cy Woods Key Club Officers PRESIDENT
HISTORIAN
REPRESENTATIVE COORDINATOR
Leia George leiageorge10@gmail. com 832-515-6928
Gina Zhang gina_zhang2008@ hotmail.com 832-773-3228
Kishan Solanki kishan.sol99@gmail. com 281-904-8652
TREASURER VICE PRESIDENT Abhinav Ashar abhinav.ashar@ hotmail.com 713474-3494
BUILDER’S CLUB REPRESENTATIVE Ashley Butterfield ashleybutterfield97@gmail. com
SECRETARY
JUNIOR SECRETARY
Sharon Zhou happysharonzh@ yahoo.com 281-346-9218
Jocelyn Yao rainbowky19971 210@gmail.com
EDITOR
Jordan Miller jmiller290@gmail. com 281-733-7616
Ashley Kawakubo akawakubo98@ hotmail.com 281-733-0959
WEBMASTER
Joshua Goodwin 713-252-9943 joshua.goodwin98@ gmail.com
Division 3N Lieutenant Governor Ian Sims Ian Sims is Division 3N’s new Lieutenant Governor. He has succeeded the past LTG, Amy Jiang, who is now one of the eleven International Trustees for Key Club International. During our last PCM in June, members from Division 3N voted on a Division Mascot, which is now a Lion, and also Division colors, which are red and yellow. Ian can be reached at 3n.iansims@ gmail.com and on the phone at 281-979-6275.
Texas-Oklahoma District Staff Governor Secretary Treasurer Editor Convention Liason Technology Producer
Rachel Iselin Crystal Loh Emily Zhao Matthew Riley Megan Reynosa
Governor@tokeyclub.com Secretary@tokeyclub.com Treasurer@tokeyclub.com Editor@tokeyclub.com cl@tokeyclub.com
Brendon Nguyen
btnguyen.kc@gmail.com
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A letter from your
Club President D
ear Key Clubbers, So many things have happened in the last month. We recently had our July 4th fundraiser at the Coles Crossing Lap Pool where we were able to raise a good amount of money, so thank you to all who donated items for our fundraiser. We are also hosting the CFISD technology conference at Cy-Woods again this month. It was really interesting last year, many companies came and demonstrated their new technologies for the classroom allowing the volunteers to observe and they gave the volunteers lunch, which were both huge bonuses. It is a huge honor to help out at such a large event. Also, the officer board has planned many new events for the upcoming school year. We will be at orientation, so please stop by if you would like some more information on our 2015-2016 Key Club. This year we plan on having not only more service events, but also socials and service projects for the entire club. We will be focusing on K-family Connections, which is this year’s Governor’s Project; this project is to strengthen the connections between the different levels of Key Club. At the very bottom of our Key Club ladder is Photo by Jordan Miller K-Kids, which is for elementary school children; then Builders Club for middle schoolers; then our Key Club; and Kiwanis which is for the adult members. We plan on working mostly with the Builders Clubs at Spillane and Goodson Middle School, where we will be hosting socials and interclubs together. I also have some other very exciting news- Cy Woods Key Club was ranked in the top 25 out of both Texas and Oklahoma for the first quarter of the year. Thank you to all the members who have done their job in serving our local community, you are the reason that our Key Club was ranked in the top 25. Lastly, I just want to say thanks to all the members who have been active this summer in volunteering-even if it wasn’t through Key Club- thank you for serving our community. Remember there is no off-season for volunteering. See you soon!
Leia George Cy-Woods Key Club President
Leia’s Laughs A Joke of the Month from our Key Club President.
Why aren’t volunteers paid? They’re priceless.
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August Event Schedule
at a Glance
wEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12TH: Wildcat Express at Cy Woods. Seniors: 12PM to 1:30PM. Juniors: 2PM to 3:30PM. Sophomores: 6PM to 7:30 PM. THURSDAY, AUGUST 15TH: Freshman Night at Cy Woods, from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. OTHER EVENTS: Keep an eye on the Facebook page and Signupgenius for more event updates.
AUGUST REMINDERS New Members- Freshman Representative positions are available. Keep an eye out for information at the first General Meeting. Reps and Officers- Remember, articles are due on the 24th at 10PM to the gmail (cywoodskeyclub@gmail. com). Officers- The monthly Kiwanis Meeting is on August 18th, more details will be posted on the Facebook page soon, so keep an eye out.
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Breaking Ice, Building Bonds How Members go from Breaking the Ice to Building Up Key Club. As much as we all hate to admit it, summer is almost over and school is right around the corner. Matthew Trinh However, Junior Representative all the fun and games aren’t about to end yet, because as school is about to start and all the new Key Clubbers are about to join, it’s time to gear up on some new icebreakers! My by far favorite icebreaker is making a skit with a group of people; although some may not consider this an ice breaker, I believe it is because it does exactly what an icebreaker should do: breaks the ice, shows people your personality, and gives opportunities for interaction and friendships. I’m a living testament to the success of this ice breaker; through all of the skits I have done with either my church or Key Club events, I have always come out knowing someone I haven’t before. How to organize the icebreaker: This icebreaker can be relatively easy and organized, and it will promote the values of what Key Club is. Depending upon how many members are present and how much time is available-since groups would need time to create, practice, and perform the skit- officers should divide up the members into groups, preferably six or twelve members per group. Each group should be monitored by an officer, as means to keep the group organized and keep track of time, not to take control of the whole operations because
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after all, the skit is for the members. From there, each group would create a skit based on the values and ideal of Key Club. Then each group would perform the skit to everyone so that everyone could learn a little more about Key Club. As members interact with each other while making the skit, they start to develop connections they might not even realize because it doesn’t have the daunting title of icebreaker; instead, it’s a skit. Starting off the school year with an icebreaker is always a great idea, because members and officers alike need to start interacting with each other, as they are going to
Division 3N Lieutenant Governor speaks to members of Division 3N at a Telge Park PCM. Photo by Cara Lucker.
throughout the entire school year. A bridge is not supported by one individual column, but supported by multiple columns working together to create a sound foundations; as is the same with Key Club. Key Club is not made up of one individual or just an officer team, Key Club is made up of all the members who work together to support what Key Club is. This is why ice breakers are so important, without that interaction, how could members ever start to support each other and be the foundation of Key Club? These icebreakers help build connections that continue to support our club throughout the entire year.
Water Is the Key
A Sophomore Rep Explains the Integral Elements to a Successful Summer Social.
What is one refreshing thing that can combat the harsh hot summer heat? Water. When we’re Zsofia Balogh tired of Sophomore Representative sweating in the blazing sun, we jump in the pool, cool off in the shower, or eat some ice cream. So why not use the extreme Houston weather to our advantage? A fun social that any club can host in the summer should definitely include water. The first step towards hosting a great water-filled social is to pick a date and a place. Decide on a day that will be exceptionally hot, so the water will feel even more refreshing. Also, pick an outdoor place that has a lot of room, such as a big park. Once you pick out both, make sure to send out an invite on Facebook,
Division 3N at a Telge Park PCM. Photo provided by Ian Sims.
so everyone in the club will know about the social. It’s also a good idea to get a head count ahead of time, so you know about how many people are coming. Next, pick out the exciting games. An icebreaker idea would be to talk about the summer break and what the group has done so far…for vacation or for volunteering. Having a water balloon fight is definitely a great plan; you can play it in teams, or everyone for themselves. Another fun game I learned at DCON was the water balloon toss. The club splits up into many groups of two, and each group gets a water balloon. You throw the water balloon back and forth with your partner and each time someone catches it, that person takes a step back. Once the water balloon drops or bursts, that team is out. The last team standing wins, and can celebrate with an ice-cold popsicle. Now, socials aren’t just about the
fun and games. We have them so we can volunteer and talk about our service plans for the upcoming month. A simple volunteering project that can be easily held at the social is a water donation. Since it is summer, everyone needs to drink lots of water to stay hydrated. The club can even write encouraging or inspirational words on the water bottles, and then distribute them at a local homeless shelter or at an outdoor volunteering event. Another idea is to write cards to a retirement home or a hospital to wish them a great summer. These are both fast projects that don’t need too many supplies, and members will be helping their community to beat the heat while they do too at this waterfilled social. So, when it’s summer and your club needs a social, just remember ‘The Key is Water’, and you will be guaranteed a memorable, reenergizing, and fantastic day.
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Keepin’ Up With Key Clubbers How Our Own Cy Woods Key Club Keeps Members Interested. I’ve only been in the Cypress Woods’ Key Club for one year, but Harini Maheswaran from Sophomore Representative what I have experienced so far, our club Representatives and President encourage the club members to get involved as much as possible. We try to spice things up at meetings by keeping the club members active with icebreakers and mini service projects. During the school year and the summer, we have club socials where we pitch in ideas, talk about our goals as a club, and discuss upcoming Key Club events. At every meeting, an icebreaker is essential to get Key Clubbers out of their seats. Different icebreakers take place to get the
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Key Clubbers to talk to different people around the room or at least interact in some way with a different person. Small service projects occur during the meetings as well, such as making Japanese cranes with inspiring messages in them for children in hospitals. These activities get people excited to participate and also help our club members to socialize with one another. During the school year, there are many events and socials held so members of Key Club- including new members- are able to come and get to know each other. Usually, there’s some type of food at these socials with usually draws attention and gets people hyped up. Key Club events are discussed in depth at these socials to encourage more members and non-members to come join and participate in Key Club. Icebreakers are also done at these
socials to get people interactive as well. Our club maintains strong K-Family relations by having members and non-members of Key Club come together as a whole, which helps members to get to know other people who want to participate in helping our community through being in Key Club. Socials are held during the summer to keep Representatives informed and in touch with their Key Club duties. For example, some socials are held at ice cream shops or in arcades. Our club often gets in touch with other Key Clubs to have an interclub event. The two clubs keep in touch when bigger Key Club socials are thrown to create an event together to benefit the community. Our club takes many measures to get as many people involved as possible, which is mandatory to build strong bonds between club members.
Socials That Make a Splash A Junior Rep Describes the Steps to a Spectacular Social.
The scorching Houston heat broils throughout the summer months, making Gabrielle Welch everyone Junior Representative want to head for the nearest pool. This is why a water-oriented social is perfect for any Key Club to hold during these sweltering times. The social begins with the arrival of the guests from at least two different clubs, so members can make new friends and build relationships from Key Clubs nearby. Members bring food and balloons before a Water Balloon beverages, and Water fight at a PCM, Photo by Lillian Trinh. there is a sign up for people to provide ice and refreshing drinks. Outside in an open area, perhaps in a neighborhood space or a park (maybe next to a public pool), there are tables set up for food and drink donations. There are also many stations set up, with different water-inspired activities located at each one. One activity is a water balloon war. The people participating in the water balloon station divide
into two separate teams, and each team has a few minutes to plan their strategy for the game. Then, each team begins behind a chalk line drawn in the grass. The water balloons sit in the middle of the playing area, in a bucket or a line along the ground. For a set time of 2 or 3 minutes, each team using their preplanned strategy, tries to get members of the other team out by hitting team members with
water balloons. Once one is hit, they must move to the side with the rest of their team who has been hit. The people running the stand are referees, calling the game when the set time is up. When referee calls time, the team with the most members standing wins the game. After that, other people can join and the referees can start another round. This booth would be all about friendly competition and
building friendships. Another booth could be different games with inflatable volleyballs. People could play competitively or just hit the volleyballs around with members from other Key Clubs. Around this booth, there would be a sprinkler set up just in case members get too hot, and want to cool off. Another booth could be just for teambuilding games. Games like trying to get out of a human knot could be played here. Another game could be to lead one’s blindfolded partner though an obstacle course. There would be sprinklers around the course or people spraying players with water guns while the member tries to make their way through the course. The objective of the course could include trying to remove items from boxes or off trees while blindfolded. Around the food and drinks table, upbeat summer music would play from a stereo. This way the summer social has an exciting atmosphere. A summer social in Houston definitely needs a way to cool off, so a water social would be a fantastic idea for any Key Club to plan.
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Building Up Spirit With Builders Club
How Our Own Cy Woods Key Club Keeps Members Interested.
“Builders Club? What’s that?” was my first thought Sharon Zhou upon seeSecretary ing the club’s table set up in the middle of the hall. As an incoming sixth grader, I was excited to see what extracurriculars my middle school would offer me. However, as I glanced at the table, Builders Club just didn’t seem like something I wanted to join. As far as I could tell, there were two types of kids sitting
Members of Cy Woods Key Club volunteering at a Rockets game. Photo provided by Anushua Mantrala.
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behind the table: those wearing ‘Builders Club’ shirts looked like confused middle schoolers like me, and others, those wearing ‘Key Club’ shirts (“What does a club about Keys have to do with Builders Club?” I thought), were staring at their phones and looked like they were only there because they had to be. None of them looked like they would be willing to answer any questions I had. So, I walked past their table without another thought. Of course, now I understand a lot more about what was going on that day. Obviously, the Builders Club members were there to promote their club, and the Key Clubbers were recruit-
ed to help the middle schoolers. However, as I think about that fateful day six years ago, I can immediately find some things very wrong with what was going on, and that’s why I find it ironically coincidental, and incredibly important, that the Governor’s Project this year is K-Family Connections. Clearly as shown from my own experience, there is definitely room to improve. (And this is just the bond between Key Club and Builders Club! Imagine the bonds between other K-Families!) As I think about that fateful slip past the Builders Club table six years ago, the faces of the students sitting behind the table
stand out in particular as to why I didn’t stop to chat about Builders Club. Although I was interested in the club, it was clear that those volunteering were not; if they were, I definitely didn’t get that vibe. Settled at the very end of the hallway right next to a very enthusiastic Theater Arts table, it was very easy to overlook the Builders Club booth; it only caught my eye because I was trying to find a friend. As I looked over at their table, no one seemed to want to help me. In fact, they seemed a little scared of anyone coming over and asking about the club, as if they weren’t quite sure themselves what Builders Club was about. Secondly, and the most important, the Builders Clubbers and the Key Clubbers didn’t look like they wanted anything to do with each other. The Builders Club members were huddled in their own group, and the Key Clubbers were talking and tex-
ting in their own group. There was no interaction amongst the two groups. But, why were there two groups in the first place? If the ultimate goal was to promote Builders Club, shouldn’t the high schoolers and the middle schoolers have been working together to attract potential members? Instead, it was clear that the Key Clubbers felt like
they were there just to complete their hours, not to be recruiters. This sort of attitude desperately needs to change. This is why Governor Rachel Iselin’s Governor’s Project is so important. (And now, my fellow Key Clubbers, please follow along as I take you on a winding
explanation) One of the ways to increase membership in Key Club is to increase membership in Builders Club; that way, Builders Club members will know what Key Club is about and will join when they get to high school. But, to increase membership in Builders Club, it is the Key Clubbers who have to first interact and communicate with veteran Builders members and get them excited about the amazing club that they’ve chosen to join. By focusing on letting Builders members know they’ve joined the right club, these middle schoolers will be able to do more around the community and spread the word about Builders Club. Thus, more middle schoolers will join, and the cycle continues. Only when we make an effort to connect and communicate will our K-Family be able to grow.
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Caring- Our Way of Life How Service Starts, From K-Kids to Kiwanis. Key Club International is a worldwide volunteer organization, with different types of clubs
Jordan Miller Editor available to everyoneno matter their age. Most people know that Key Club is a volunteer organization run by High School students; volunteering in order to check off another thing on their way to applying for colleges. However, what most people don’t know is that Kiwanis (the organization that envelops Key Club) has clubs for Elementary School students, Middle School students, University students, working-class folk, and also people with disabilities. Service is an integral part of every community, that way that individuals can be a part of something that helps the area visibly grow and develop. If everyone in the community is involved with service, then that betters community while also bettering the individuals who helped in the first place. Kiwanis helps to provide the opportunity of volunteering to people of every age and stage of life, while also providing opportunities to travel and to lead their respective organizations. In Key Club, a club for teens, mem-
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bers are able to travel to many different areas in order to improve their abilities and methods to improve their communities. They can travel to Key Leader in the fall, where members can learn to grow more cohesively as a club and also learn better methods to serve. In the spring, members are able to travel to Dallas for DCON
(District Convention) in order to learn how to better perform in their leadership positions and as volunteers. Kiwanis has a level for every age group; with K-Kids for Grade-School children, which teaches kids at a young age how important service is and how great it can make others (and them) feel; Builder’s Club for Middle School students, which gives tweens the opportunity to see service at a
higher level while also working with older possible role models from local High Schools; Key Club students in High School, which gives teens the ability to see visible change in their communities through the work of their club as a whole; Circle K for University students, in order to keep the service spirit for individuals who enjoy bettering the community around them; Kiwanis for adults, which helps members of the working class get involved with service as grown adults; and finally Aktion Club, which helps adults with disabilities to interact and serve the area around them. Kiwanis has organizations present in 80 countries, with numerous communities being helped along with money being raised for other organizations like ELIMINATE, which helps to eliminate neonatal tetanus from women and babies from many countries all over the world. Service is something that Kiwanis helps everyone participate in, because volunteering isn’t just beneficial to the community; it’s beneficial to everyone involved.
KEY FACTS
CYPRESS WOODS HIGH SCHOOL JULY 2015