The Talon of T-O | Mansfield Lake Ridge Key Club | September 2023 | Volume 7 | Issue 6

The Talon of T-O

MANSFIELD LAKE RIDGE KEY CLUB

TTABLEOFCONTENTS TABLEOFCONTENTS ABLEOFCONTENTS

Letter from the Editor

Monthly Recap

Monthly Recap Cont’d Service Opportunities

Upcoming Events

Key Hub

Article: Light Up the Night

Key for Kids

Uplift Through Education

Nourishing Futures

Key Club Programs & Partners

Officer Contacts

T-O District Staff

Regional & Divisional Staff

Hi Key-uties!!

I hope you’ve been able to settle into your classes! Since we’ve been getting into the swing of things, I’ve been thinking more about what the future holds in store for us!

I’m genuinely looking forward to volunteering with you all. One of my favorite events, the Boo Bash, is being held again this year. Last year, I helped kids play with nerf guns to win prizes!! I remember it fondly as one

of the events which really let me get a feel of what Key Club actually meant. Anyways, I hope everyone enjoys the newsletter and stays safe this spooky season!

Love you lots, Vikkos >:D

Our first Key Club meeting of the year was held on September 6th. We can’t wait to see you at future meetings!

At the Allies in Youth Banquet, we saw the president and vice president of Circle K International in UTA!

We spent the morning shift setting up tables as well as tshirts!

Thank you to everyone who donated to our homecoming wagon! All of the officers had a lot of fun seeing your faces (and your reaction to Pit Bull) as we walked around the school!

“It was wonderful seeing a community of all age groups coming together to address a health concern that many overlook in their daily lives.”

Vincent Nguyen, LRHS KC member

ALLIES IN YOUTH

ALLIES IN YOUTH

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

sign up here!

Sort through donated items, make cards, and pack boxes so that they can be sent to orphans in Eastern Europe

1315 FM1187 LOT 115, Mansfield, TX 76063

Every Sunday (except the 1st) from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM

WHAT?

WHERE? WHEN?

Work at our local Mansfield Mission Center Thrift Store

901 W. Broad St, Mansfield, TX 76063

sign up INDIVIDUALLY

Monday - Saturday from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

FEED THE KIDS

FEED THE KIDS

WHAT?

Unload food from a truck and transfer it into a building, unpack boxes and load tables for bagging, work in an assembly for bagging food, and load bags into food pantry vehicles

First Methodist Church, Building D

4:00 PM on Wednesdays

mansfield founder s day mansfield founder s day

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

Help run stations.

sign up here!

Lake Ridge High School, parking lot between the baseball field and th tennis court

October 7th, 9:30-12:00 PM

PARK GAMES FOR KIDS — PARK GAMES FOR KIDS

—

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

sign up here!

Monitor games for kids. run popcorn machines, ice machines, bounce house attendants, face paint/balloon assistants

Texas Encampment: 1701 Texas Plume Rd Cedar Hill, TX 76063

October 8th, 11:30-2:30 PM

NASH BASH — NASH BASH

—

WHAT?

WHERE?

WHEN?

sign up here!

Monitor Bounce Houses and help clean up Nash Bash!

Katherine Rose Park

September 9th, 7:45-11:00 AM

— ANNUAL MAC BOO BASH — ANNUAL MAC BOO BASH

WHAT? Help setup, run games, distribute food and wrist bands, generally help where needed, and clean up the Boo Bash!

WHERE?

WHEN?

Mansfield Activity Center 106 S. Wisteria St., Mansfield, Texas 76063

October 27th from 5:00-8:00 PM

wonderfall fest wonderfall fest

From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, MISD will be hosting an outdoor carnival with fun activities, a showcase from our art students, and PTA & school vendor booths! It will be held at Dr. Jim Vaszauskas Center for the Performing Arts.

“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.”

Congratulations to Dalena Nguyen ! !

Tobethenextmemberofthemonth,rackupasmanyhoursasyou can!Thememberwiththemosthoursattheendofeachmonthare featuredinthenewsletter!

Vincent Van Gogh

2 of our Key Club officers celebrated their birthdays this month! Vikki Tawaran, the editor, celebrated hers on September 7th, and Ella Beason, the service coordinator had hers on September 13th!

On the last day of September, the smell of traditions and fun times was in the air through the form of food wafting through. Kids enjoy fun games and run around holding lanterns following a lion. Dances and performances clashing and making exuberant noise. Nothing else is like the annual lantern festival! My church held an event for the annual lantern festival that occurs in Vietnamese culture. They offered spots to volunteer, and since I’m a part of Lake Ridge High School Key Club, I could not pass up the offer (and I’m glad I didn’t). Volunteering brought me back to a time when I was young playing those games to win candy at my church. The sense of nostalgia came in waves as the smell of Vietnamese pandan waffles floated through the air, drums clashed, and a lion danced around. No matter the sight, I was always given something that reminded me of a memory which in turn installed new memories. Memories lit up in my mind like the lanterns that glowed in the night’s shade.

Key Club resulted in this event of my life, and I do believe it is the little things that count. Throughout the entire event, the little things lit up the bigger things in my mind. Together, they made up a whole entire new experience I won’t forget. By interacting with my community and putting smiles on children, it helped me bridge a gap between past and present, and it also lit up a path for the future… just like those lanterns.

Jude Pham | Mansfield Lake Ridge High School | Division 39 South

KEYS FOR KIDS

A person's childhood plays a large role in their development. Because of this, Keys for Kids is aimed at uplifting children, fostering their overall well-being, and promoting their emotional and social development. Through this year's divisional project, I hope to instill hope, inspire dreams, and shape a brighter future for every child involved.

How to participate: organize an pen-pal system with a neighboring elementary school host an arts and crafts night in your community read to kids in at a local library make care packages to send to a children's hospital

UPLIFT THROUGH EDUCATION

THE PROJECT:

Education is the key element we see in our daily lives; it stems from a variety of topics towards the betterment of one another, and in long term growth, to the actions of individuals. Education is important in the success and continuity of the foundations of Key Club and how we grow as one: through knowledge, sharing our passion, and encouraging others. It provides unity, and it ultimately symbolizes the development for our future. The Governor's Project, Uplift through Education, strives to build the servant leaders of our District to give back to individuals in underprivileged communities through a multitude of community-driven events that focus on the empowerment and importance of education, research, and financial literacy. In addition, this project is intended to highlight that our district, as one, is unified as a team to help people from around the world who do not have access to similar resources and lesson plans to utilize in schools, universities, and beyond. As we rise together, we can uplift the many students, peers, and adults around us. It starts with education - through increasing the culture, teachings, and knowledge - from one person to another.

WHY?

According to a report studied by the United Nations, over 35% of children and adolescents around the world do not have access to educational resources Compounding these inequities has created a digital divide which continues to grow, and individuals can face considerable barriers in the future without equal access - over two thirds of the percentage studied faces inaccessible technology usage within their home as well The importance of uplifting others through education is to provide them with the opportunity to gain experiences and carry on the knowledge they obtain for their future endeavors Many individuals around the world do not have access to di erent school-based resources because of di ering circumstances

SERVICE IDEAS:

Educational workshop program (In-person and Zoom)

New topics will be provided monthly ranging from mathematics to literature

Write and deliver words of kindness and encouragement to students, teachers, and advisors

Tutoring sessions with students

Create Care Kits for students and teachers

School supply drive and fundraiser

Collaborate with Schoolhouse Book drive

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!

Email: nidhiraokc@gmail.com

Nourishing Futures

WHAT IS IT?

Nourishing Futures is a project with a global mission to empower underdeveloped communities by providing essential resources such as food and water. The primary goal is to foster positive change and nourish the well-being of these communities worldwide.

PURPOSE

Recognizing that these communities often face significant challenges due to economic, social, and environmental factors, Nourishing Futures aims to bridge this gap and support individuals around the world. By delivering sustainable solutions and fostering local empowerment, the project seeks to create a ripple effect of positive change, enabling communities to thrive in the long term. Furthermore, Nourishing Futures aims to serve as a catalyst for broader development efforts in these communities. Improved access to food and water lays the foundation for better health, education, and economic opportunities. By working alongside UNICEF and Thirst Project, Nourishing Futures aims to support individuals around the world with the ability to obtain clean health and water based resources.

Nutrition and Hydration

Education: Conduct educational sessions on the importance of proper nutrition and hydration.

Monthly Challenges

DISTRICT PROJECT 2023-2024

Hygiene Kits: Assemble hygiene kits containing essential items such as soap, toothpaste, and sanitary products for distribution.

Meal Packaging Events: Collaborate with local organizations and/or food pantries that organize meal packaging events to prepare nutritious meals that can be sent to communities in need.

Community-Based Food Banks: Establish small-scale food banks within the community to facilitate easy access to food resources.

Water Bottle Refilling Stations: Set up water bottle refilling stations in public spaces, with approval, to encourage the use of reusable bottles and reduce single-use plastic waste.

Water and Food Security Mapping: Work with communities to map out water and food resources, identifying areas for improvement.

Clean-Up Campaigns: Organize community clean-up events to improve hygiene and sanitation.

Nutrition and Hydration

Awareness Booths: Set up informational booths at community events or gatherings to provide education on nutrition and hydration.

Community Health Education Videos: Create and distribute educational videos on health, sanitation, and nutrition.

Food and Water Drives: Organize local food and water drives to collect non-perishable food items and bottled water.

Mobile Health Clinics: Set up mobile health clinics to reach remote communities and provide medical care and treatment packages.

Informational Website/Blog: Create an educational article or website update relating to resources available to support underdeveloped communities with access to basic necessities

Seed and Plant Swap: Host a seed and plant swap event where community members can exchange seeds and seedlings to start their own gardens, promoting food self-sufficiency.

School Lunch Support: Collaborate with schools to support their lunch programs by donating funds or providing healthy food items for students.

Community Garden

Planting: Assist in establishing community gardens in underdeveloped areas to grow fresh produce locally.

Nutrition and Hydration Posters: Design and distribute posters with simple nutrition tips and hydration reminders.

Christopher Do lrhskcpresident@gmail.com @chrissdo

Danielle Alvarado lrhskcvicepresident@gmail.com @daniellealvaa Victoria Tawaran lrhskceditor@gmail.com @vk.tnn

Myla Huynh lrhskcsecretary@gmail.com @myla.inc

Hanna Truong lrhskcwebmaster@gmail.com @hnntmnt

Jude Pham lrhskctreasurer@gmail.com @helloojuice

Lananh La lrhskcsocial@gmail.com @lananhlaa

Kaitlyn Nguyen lrhskchours@gmail.com @yahelloh

Ella Beason lrhskcservice@gmail.com @ella.beason