Viking Newsletter | Lamar Key Club | Volume III Issue IV | November 2021

Volume III Issue IV | November 2021 | Lamar High School

GNIKIV

THE

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

HEY EVERYBODY! Hey, Key Club, it’s finally December, and I’m sure all of us are looking forward to winter break! I hope everyone has been doing well this past month and has gotten the chance to participate in some extraordinary Key Club events. In December, our primary emphasis is the Salvation Army Bell Ringing initiative. This is a big in-person event for people and officers to join together, play music, sing Christmas Carols, and raise money for a wonderful cause. We also want to remind everyone of online volunteering opportunities they can do at home during all the break time. Whether you’re running for Charity Miles or writing a book recommendation to the Arlington Public Library, there are still plenty of ways to get hours over break. Lastly, we want to remind all our members to stay persistent in this last push for the semester and have a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays!

President's Letter | 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS President's Letter

1

Table of Contents

2

November Calendar

3

December Calendar

4

November Recap

5

December & Upcoming Opportunities

6

Strengthening Bonds - article by Ada Lian

7

Handling school and Key club duties - Layla Shalabi

9

Holiday Events - article by Mariela Morales

11

Service Changes Perspective - article by Luke Anderson

13

HOTO - article by Andrew Nguyen

15

Crossword

17

Get to Know your Officers - Vice-President Edition

18

Club Officers

19

District Officers

21

District News and Important Links

22

KC International's Partners

23

Table of Contents | 2

CALENDAR

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3rd

NOVEMBER GENRAL

12th

11th LHS

MEETING

SWIM

MEET

WOMEN'S

15th

SHELTER

DONATIONS

APL

DUE

19th LAST

DAY FOR

November Calendar | 3

TO

SIGN

THE

NOVEMBER

HOTO

UP

20th-28th THANKSGIVING

BREAK

EVENT

CALENDAR

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

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2

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1st 3rd

DECEMBER GENRAL

MEETING

WOMEN'S

4th

SHELTER

DONATIONS

DUE

SALVATION BELL

ARMY

RINGING

16th

11th LHS

&

SWIM

14th MEETS

LAST

DAY

OF

SCHOOL!!

WINTER

BREAK

December Calendar | 4

RECAP WOMEN'S SHELTER DONATIONS

This month, we were able to collect items for the Women's Shelter where you can donate essentials to families in need. Here are some of the items that we were able to donate and help out families in need!

Remember that we're still accepting until December 3rd. Bring the items to room 284 - 3 items/1hour and maximum of 3 hours.

HOTO ARTICLE

Thank you to Nick Astie for writing the October HOTO! Check it out in last month's newsletter here! If you want to write an article, contact me now. Talk about yourself and your journey in Key Club. Send us a photo of yourself with it and it has to be at least 450 words.

You get one sponsored service hour :)

Freshman (hours over all 4 years)

at least 60 Sponsored hours, 80 hours overall

Sophomores and Juniors joining KC

Seniors joining KC

Number of Hours 0

November Recap | 5

at least 30 Sponsored hours, 50 hours overall

**Note: Sponsored Hours are hours from opportunities talked about during the meeting, or ones that we promote.

at least 15 Sponsored hours, 30 hours overall 20

40

60

80

OPPORTUNITIES SALVATION ARMY BELLRINGING December 4th: Salvation Army Bell Ringing 10am - 7pm Join us at the Kroger on Lamar Blvd.!

Donations earned will be given to Salvation Army to help those in need!

ARLINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Create Bookmarks to donate to the Arlington Public Library 3 Bookmarks/1 hr & 2 hour max

LHS SWIM MEETS Help out with our school's swim meets on December 11th & 14th! You must sign up using this link and don't attend it you didn't sign up: https://tinyurl.com/ydns4jxd December Opportunities | 6

Article by Ada Lian

Strengthening Bonds

Ada Lian talks about how an event either formed or strengthened her bonds with other members and built her Key Club’s core values.

Strengthening Bonds | 7

Every school year, Lamar High School hosts a club sign-up event for all the students called VikingFest. At this event, students can see which clubs are available and sign up for the ones that spark their interest. At each booth, the student will meet a representative of the club and the representative will have information on the club and how to sign up.

They would tell members about opportunities such as helping out as a timer at swim meets, participating in donations, and even online and virtual opportunities such as Freerice, Charity Miles, etc are available. In addition, members will be able to meet new people, create bonds, and inevitably have a memorable experience. As a club, the Lamar High School Key Club participates in this wonderful event every year. By participating in this event, I learned how to meet new people and try my best to persuade them to join key club. I would tell them about the fun events that they can earn hours for, and how good those opportunities can look on college applications which will help them earn plenty of scholarships.

If the members earn enough hours they can also earn stoles and cords for graduation.

Hearing this, the members would perk up and I related to them because I remember caring a lot about college and making my mark. I was also able to get to know incoming members of key club one by one as they introduced themselves, told me what year they're in, what they like to do, and what clubs they’re interested in. After having conversations with the members I met, I was able to meet more people and build more relationships with them. By having one on one conversations, it was also easier to talk to members that would shy away and sit in the back at meetings. By talking to them, I realized a large portion of them were nervous for the school year and unsure about joining clubs. I assured them that they’re not alone and that they shouldn't let their fears stop them from having fun and trying things they’re interested in.

Plus key club offers many opportunities that don’t require them to be outside. It felt nice to make the members feel more reassured. At this event, I felt like I was able to step more into my position as a key club officer and saw myself come out of my shell as I was able to talk to more people than I usually do and be able to advertise Key Club to others.

I was also able to bond more with the other officers as we had more conversations and took more pictures with each other. By having this experience at Viking Fest, key club was not only able to get a large portion of new members but also allowed me to gain a better understanding of the members and get to know more individual members.

Strengthening Bonds | 8

HANDLING SCHOOL AND KEY CLUB DUTIES

BY LAYLA SHALABI

"My organization has been the key to my success in handling school and Key Club."

As a senior who’s currently in multiple extracurricular activities such as the school's musical, track and field and clubs such Key Club.

Life can get hectic when dealing with these extracurricular and academic work. On top of that I have begun to take the next step in life by starting my college and scholarship application.

Each day I am stacked with responsibilities I have to accomplish, that is why this school year has been a stressful and hectic year so far.

However the only way I have been able to successfully accomplish my school and Key Club duties is because of my organization and mediation skills.

Handling school and Key Club duties | 9

My organization has been the key to my success in handling school and Key Club.

Throughout the week I write down the duties I need to do in my planner. For simple easy tasks that I need to be reminded of, I use my phone’s reminder app. The cool thing about this reminder app is that it can remind me on a certain date and time. So while I’m reminded of the simple tasks on my phone, my planner helps me visualize what I need to accomplish for the overall day and or month.

Another way I stay organized is by prioritizing the task I need to do first. If one thing is due before the other, then I’ll finish that first just so I can get it out of the way. Another similar technique I use is when I come home after a Key Club meeting. Usually I have limited time on doing my homework and applications, so I prioritize the simple and easy work first and leave the hardest for the last.

Although my organization has led me to be organized and successful in handling school and Key Club duties, I sometimes feel overwhelmed and unmotivated to do anything. To help get out of this chaos, I meditate either by painting, going for a walk, or by doing simple breathing exercises. When I’m overwhelmed, I usually cannot focus on a task therefore I meditate to clear my head.

Meditation allows me to take a break and start fresh.

My organization and mediation skills is what helps me accomplish my school and Key Club duties every day. It motivates me to never give up during stressful situations because I can find a way to overcome it. I hope my methods will help influence future students and Kiwanis to find a way that helps them multitask when it comes to the things they love.

Handling school and Key Club duties | 10

HOLIDAY EVENTS

BY MARIELA MORALES

That’s why charitable organizations

Ultimately our goal

The holidays, these are the times

like The Salvation Army are taking a

is to have a pleasant

friends and families gather together

step further to help those in need

to celebrate a special day with food,

during the holidays and we as Lamar

gifts, love and more. Unfortunately

Key Club members are going to aid

not everyone has the luxury to be able

in making this aspiritation possible.

to fully embrace the holidays with

With that being said, we officially

such joy and delight. Whether it's the

partnered up with The Salvation Army

fact that these families don't have

to gather our members to participate

enough funds to buy gifts or meals, or

in a Christmas bell ringing. We

even have a warm place to stay at,

started off by encouraging our

these very unfortunate circumstances

members to take part in the bell

should not be robbing these families

ringing by sending out daily

of such joys.

messages on Remind to sign up.

time with our friends at this Army Salvation Bell Ringing event and to have success with our donations. We really do hope we can make at least one family's Christmas memorable, and bring a blessing to

Holiday Events | 11

them.

As well as asked the members to share our Instagram dedicated post on social media to get some more attention from our peers.

It was then decided at last that Saturday, December 4th, would be the day of our Salvation Army Bell Ringing. It will take place outside of the Walmart by the AT&T stadium, its location being B03 Walmart (Randol Mill Food) 915 East Randol Mill Road Arlington TX, 76011.

Furthermore the duration of our bell ringing event would last from 10:00am - 7:00pm CST, it would also be split into 5 shifts throughout the day, each shift lasting 2 hours. The 1st shift is from 10:00AM - 12:00PM in the morning, the 2nd shift is from 12:00PM - 2:00PM in the early afternoon, the 3rd shift is from 2:00PM - 4:00PM in the mid afternoon, the 4th shift is from 4:00PM - 6:00PM in the late afternoon, and lastly our 5th shift is from 5:00PM - 7:00PM in the evening. We tried to make our schedule as flexible as possible so all members could have a chance to engage, and made each shift have a total of 4 slots for members to fill up.

In addition we are also welcoming parents to volunteer. Moreover members are welcomed to bring any instruments to play to add a more joyous vibe to this upcoming Christmas bell ringing.

Ultimately our goal is to have a pleasant time with our friends at this Army Salvation Bell Ringing event and to have success with our donations. We really do hope we can make at least one family's Christmas memorable, and bring a blessing to them.

Holiday Events 12

NOVEMBER 2021

SERVICE CHANGES PERSPECTIVE

BY LUKE ANDERSON

As I’ve grown up, many things have changed me but especially now that I’m in high school and more mature I have learned things from specific events that I’ve been a part of. In the past, I often went through the motions of everything I did instead of taking the task at hand to heart but recently I've attempted to change my ways. One event in particular opened my eyes and changed my perspective for the better last summer.

During the summer I worked at a summer camp that operated for kids ages 4-11 during the week.

On a few Saturdays the Camp partnered with Mission Arlington to give families that couldn’t afford the camp a free fun day. Most of these families lived in extreme poverty and lived in apartments provided to them by Mission Arlington.

Service Changes Perspective | 13

Luke shares what he loved most at a service event:

I’M GRATEFUL FOR THE KIDS AND THAT THE SITUATION TAUGHT ME TO NOT JUST GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS BUT TO PUT FORTH THE EFFORT AND BE THE CHANGE IN PEOPLE' S LIVES.

NOVEMBER 2021

Early in the morning, Mission Arlington

You see, all they really wanted was an

would go knocking on these apartment

ounce of attention. Yes, the huge slip and

doors asking if kids would like to have a

slide was fun but at the end of the day,

fun day and they’d then be bussed by

they were going to look back to who they

Mission Arlington to the Camp for the

interacted with and see if they were cared

Saturday. I’ve participated in these

for. Once I realized this I started to do

Saturdays before but on this particular

simple things like starting races. I even

Saturday in June, I volunteered simply

started to race the kids which they

because it was something to do. On that

absolutely loved and this encouraged the

day I was assigned the task of monitoring

more scared kids to give the wild ride a try

the camp’s ginormous slip and slide that

themselves. Showing the kids that I

went down a hill. This in itself is a pretty

enjoyed the slip and slide was a game-

simple task of telling kids when to go and

changer and they all wanted a part of the

making sure they're safe. Meeting the kids

fun. Throughout most of these kids’ lives,

though changes this minuscule task

they’ve been glanced over and given no

drastically. When I say the task changes I

love. People in tough situations like these

don’t literally mean that but instead, it

kids are simply searching for someone to

changes the way I should act. Instead of

give them attention. For someone to show

being a mindless worker that tells kids

them they’re loved and cared for.

what to do, my attitude did a 180 and I started to interact with these kids.

Looking back on that wonderful day, I'm eternally grateful. I’m grateful for the kids and that the situation taught me to not just go through the motions but to put forth the effort and be the change in people's lives. That’s what our world needs and the only way for it to happen is to start right here. Genuinely caring spreads like a wildfire so let's go change the way we do simple tasks starting right here.

This is Key Club, we try our best to include everyone so no one gets left out.

Service Changes Perspective | 14

HOTO

By Andrew Nguyen

Hi, my name is Andrew Nguyen, I was born and raised in Arlington Texas, and am a junior at Lamar High School. This is my first year joining Key Club, and I am also part of the NHS. Music has always been a big part of my life, starting with piano from elementary, picking up cello in middle school, and now focusing as a dedicated pianist at my church.

I am involved in VEYM, a youth group I’ve been involved with since I was young.

Something I look forward to and enjoy every year around the fall season is the bake sale to raise funds for various charities to support children in Vietnam. Not only do I have fun, selling cupcakes, pandan waffles, and iced coffee, I also get to bond with the community at my church. I always have a blast eating waffles knowing that each waffle that is sold helps a child in need. Volunteering in any way is always rewarding and strengthens the bond in my community.

HOTO | 15

The satisfaction of providing music to those around me is exponentially more rewarding than any amount of money could provide.

At my church, there are so many ways to volunteer, such as helping prepare food in the kitchen, doing lawn work outside, cleaning up after big events, and so much more. Most if not all of these volunteers take time out of their own day to come to help out because that is how much they love the church.

Our entire parish thrives off all of the volunteers who come daily, not just on weekends, to keep the church looking nice and tidy.

For me, other than doing the annual bake sale, I volunteer by offering my musical talent. The history of volunteering as a pianist starts from my

The satisfaction of providing music to those around me is exponentially more rewarding than any amount of money could provide.

Since this is my first year in Key Club, I don’t know much about this club other than that it involves a lot of fun volunteering. Coming back from an entire year of online school, I didn’t really have the desire to join any clubs at all. In fact, for my sophomore year, I wasn’t in any clubs at all. That is why I joined Key Club. I saw that I needed to be more involved in my school and community since I haven’t volunteered in a while.

piano teachers who mentored me to the level at which I could handle the mass on my own. It doesn’t just involve attending Sunday masses, it involves practices held on Saturdays. I never even thought of what I do as volunteering since I really enjoy it, and I feel like that’s how it should be. And yes, some might say that I need compensation for my contribution, but I feel like that would take the fun out of it, and it never really crossed my mind as necessary at all.

HOTO | 16

TAKE A BREAK, DO A

Crossword!

1

4 2

7 8

5

6

Down 1. _____________ is the new Junior Representative 4. @_______________ is our Instagram 7. The last day to bring items for the Women's Shelter is December _____.

Across 2. ____________ is the new Sophomore Representative 5. The December monthly meeting is on the ____.

6. the ___________ Army Bell Ringing is on December 4th 8. You can volunteer by making _______ for the Arlington Public Library

If you send a copy of the answers to KC.lamar.editor@gmail.com you can log half a sponsored service hour!

Crossword | 17

VICE-PRESIDENT MY FAVORITES COLOR:Blue SPORT:Basketball RESTAURANT:Nothing in particular, but likes sushi ARTIST/BAND:Above and Beyond TV SHOW/MOVIE:Scarface COLLEGE:UT Austin MAJOR:Business

Something important to me is maintaining a good job.

EXTRACURRICULARS Academic Decathlon

Key Club Work

DUTIES Advisor for President, advisor for other officers and general helper for all tasks

SAMIR ZAMAN Hi, my name is Samir. I am the Vice President this year and I feel honored to work amongst great people. The thing I like the most about key club is that your’e surrounded by like minded individuals who can motivate you to do better!

Get to Know your Officers | 18

P R E S I D E N T EMILY WILSON V I C E - P R E Z SAMIR ZAMAN

S E C R E T A R Y ADA LIAN

kc.lamar.president @gmail.com

kc.lamar.secretary @gmail.com

kc.lamar.treasurer @gmail.com Club Officers | 19

E D I T O R SARA LIM

T R E A S U R E R ZAC HATTENDORF

kc.lamar.vicepresident @gmail.com

kc.lamar.editor @gmail.com

kc.lamar.sophrep @gmail.com

F R E S H M A N

kc.lamar.freshrep @gmail.com

IF INTERESTED... CONTACT ONE OF US!

kc.lamar.seniorrep @gmail.com

R E P

S O P H O M O R E R E P MARIELA MORALES

J U N I O R R E P LUKE ANDERSON

S E N I O R R E P MOI TUNGNUNG

kc.lamar.editor @gmail.com kc.lamar.historian @gmail.com

kc.lamar.juniorrep @gmail.com

Club Officers | 20

H I S T O R I A N LAYLA SHALABI

W E B M A S T E R Haley Wehr

DISTRICT GOVERNOR

district officers

Lillian Thai governor@tokeyclub.com

District Officers | 21

DISTRICT SECRETARY

Ginna Galindo Gomez secretary@tokeyclub.com

DISTRICT TREASURER

Makayla Hsieh treasurer@tokeyclub.com

DISTRICT EDITOR

Anushka Ranjan editor@tokeyclub.com

CONVENTION LIASON

Kaitlyn Roehr

cl@tokeyclub.com

TECHNOLOGY PRODUCER Noah Obuya techproducer @tokeyclub.com

CONVENTION LIAISON Salma Eldeeb salma.eldeeb @tokeyclub.com

REGION 7 ADVISOR

Melissa Greene

region7@tokeyclub.com

GET IN TOUCH

district news

@lama

rkeyc

lub

https://keyclublamar. wixsite.com/lhskey

APP: Rice om/ Free ice.c reer f / / : s http

Log your Hours: https://tinyurl. com/vv4bvmv4

mar a l . b clu om key il.c a m @g

@v

fnd

CL UB

key

http

1

LI NK S

Cha rity Mile s://c s: hari tymi les.o r

g/

OUR SPONSOR Ms. Connor pconnor@aisd.net

District News | 22

WANT TO DO MORE?

HERE ARE KEY CLUB INTERNATION PARTNERS AND COLLABORATIVE P

Landscape Structures (LSI) has joined Kiwanis International as a vision partner to bring play to communities across the globe. LSI is proud to provide highquality commercial playground equipment and planning consultation services that reflect the high degree of integrity that Kiwanis clubs expect.

Thirst Project is a nonprofit organization that works with the support of young people to END the global water crisis by building freshwater wells in developing communities that need safe, clean drinking water.

By providing a community with safe drinking water, disease rates can drop by up to 88% virtually overnight!

Child mortality rates can drop up to 90%- overnight!

Clean water also plays an incredibly critical role in effectively treating and managing HIV/AIDS in rural communities.

KC International's Partners | 23

Nickelodeon currently presents two major campaigns year round that encourage action in kids globally.

Worldwide Day of Play reinforces Nickelodeon’s mission to make the world a more playful place by leading Play events across the country.

Nickelodeon’s Get Dirty campaign seeks to educate kids, families, and teachers about what they can do to help protect the planet in a way that is mindful and fun.

TeleSquads provide Key Club members with affordable opportunities to complete community service hours while gaining hands-ons international experience implementing projects that improve health and education outcomes for in-need communities. Each TeleSquad is a customized 1-9 week online course for groups of 8 or more Key Club members to build knowledge through skill-based volunteering, build cultural competency through virtual immersion, and deliver real impact through our local team by participating in live community and professional exchanges.

NAL'S SERVICE PARTNERS The Army strives to strengthen local communities through service and to build character and leadership among youth such as Key Club members. Through the Kiwanis Speakers Army personnel can connect with Kiwanisfamily clubs at club meetings, raising awareness of what today’s Army can provide and offer access to local Army support and resources. The Army also gives exceptional opportunities in higher education that can help young people throughout their lives.

Since 2014, Up with People and Kiwanis International members have teamed up to serve our communities, inspire youth and expand our impact in the world. that’s what Kiwanis International and Up with People share. Up with People programs open a door to service and intercultural understanding—whether it’s through a local show, leadership, and cultural workshops or providing service and travel experiences for young adults. Both organizations strive to ‘serve the children of the world’ and ‘empower youth to take action’ through our partnership.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS

Register for one month of fitness, reach your health goals, and change lives. Join individually or create a team. Your involvement creates community, and it helps Project Happiness educate youth and people of all ages—by providing proven tools for greater happiness and well-being.

K Corps is Kiwanis International’s youth exchange program for Key Clubbers and Kiwanis-family teens. It’s a great opportunity for youth connected with Kiwanis—and for families and Kiwanis clubs as well.Through the program, clubs, families and youth develop strong global relationships and intercultural communication skills by —attending meetings, experiencing fellowship, raising funds for various causes and participating in service projects.

KC International's Partners | 24

Thank you for reading our November Newsletter!

Happy Holidays!

Lamar Key Club is part of Region 7 Division 39N of the Texas-Oklahoma Key Club District