Flagship Newsletter
Featured Articles: 2011-2012 Outstanding Club of the Year Winners
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District Anchor Coordinators
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New Clubs
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District Conventions
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2012 International Conference
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May, 2012 ** 2011-2012 Outstanding Anchor Club of the Year WINNERS ** FIRST PLACE– WALKER HIGH SCHOOL, AL Congratulations to all of the Anchors at Walker High School in Jasper, Alabama. During the last three years, under the direction and leadership of Advisor, Vicki Lyle, this Club has grown from 56 to 105 members. Being a goaloriented group, the 2011-2012 goals were: To Prepare: Anchors prepare for their service by learning about the issues that affect our school and community, thus building our
skills to make a difference. Anchors, then develop an action plan for the service to “Join Hands” with Pilot. To Take Action: Anchors engage in meaningful service by working on a project that will make a difference in their school and community and that is also tied to their Mentors’ (Pilot) philosophy thus allowing Anchors to “Join Hands” with the Pilot organization to make a difference. To Reflect: Anchors analyze and make sense of their service through reflection. Students have shown that service acts that are done for the right reason lengthens one’s life. Unselfish acts of service and a desire to help others allows Anchors to “Join Hands” with Pilot. The Walker HS Anchors live out their goals on a daily basis and excel in every category whether it be service projects, fundraising activities or BrainMinder presentations. This dynamic Club is sponsored by the Pilot Club of Jasper. The Pilots embrace the opportunities to share joint projects with the Anchors and encourage them by their presence and participation. Our thanks to the Anchors, Advisor Vicki Lyle and the members of the Pilot Club of Jasper for their amazing accomplishments!
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Second Place – Pace High School – Florida We congratulate the Anchors of Pace High School in Pace, Florida. This Anchor Club has been in existence for 12 years. According to their Advisor, Susan Williams, “this is an organization that is willing to give of their time, resources and leadership in helping those who are less fortunate.” Susan is not only the Advisor of this Club but she is also the Sponsor as a Pilot “Member-at-Large” since May of 2010 . Membership for the 2011-2012 academic year is 146 strong. The Club is very active with projects at their school, in the community and within their Pilot District. Some of the projects the Anchors have been involved with this year include the Christmas stocking program for the elderly (started by the disbanded Pilot Club of Milton many years ago); the Pace High Homecoming/ Alumni Tent; BrainMinders at various elementary schools, Santa Rosa County School-wide ESE Fall Carnival and helping with Pace High School Exceptional Student Education, just to name a few. The Anchor Club of Pace High School is held in high regard in their community and Pilot District. The members’ friendliness, helpfulness, devotion, good cheer and hard work make them one of the most prestigious clubs at Pace High School. What an exciting time to be part of this great Anchor Club. Thank you Anchors and a special thanks to Susan Williams for her very active role both as Advisor and Sponsor.
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Third Place – Monroe Area High School – Georgia Congratulations to the Anchor Club of Monroe Area High School in Monroe, Georgia. This Anchor Club received its Charter in 1960. This Club has been judged Number ONE in the state of Georgia 24 times out of the past 27 years. Mrs. Vivian Beasley was named Most Outstanding Anchor Advisor for Pilot International in 2000 after serving as faculty advisor for 23 years. The current Anchor Advisors are Ms. Meredith Farmer and Mrs. Toni Walser-Childs.
THIRD PLACE - WALKER HIGH SCHOOL ANCHOR CLUB Jasper, AL. Advisor, Vicki Lyle and the PC of Jasper is the sponsoring Pilot Club.
The 2011-2012 Georgia District Anchor theme is: “Seasons of Service – Be Inspired!” The Monroe Area High School Anchor Club has been an inspiration to others through their service for over fifty years.
Throughout the past year, the Anchors have completed their seasons of service to those with brain-related disorders, the elderly, the unfortunate and many special children. In keeping with Pilot International’s constant focus on Brain Related Disorders, some of the Club’s projects are helping with the local Special Olympics; handmade Valentine cards to a local Special Education class; Relay for Life Face Painting with donations going to the American Cancer Society; BrainMinder presentations to the Boys and Girls Club; making Valentine cards for a local nursing home; and sharing their Saturdays playing bingo with the residents at the nursing homes. The Anchors have accomplished many outstanding goals this year and we honor all of their achievements. This Anchor Club is sponsored by the Pilot Club of Monroe. Thanks to all of the Anchors and their Advisors for their many hours of service and commitment to others!
2011-2012 Anchor Project Lifesaver Scholarship Winner In 2006, Project Lifesaver established an annual $500 college scholarship to be awarded by Pilot International to a graduating Anchor Club member. Our 2011-2012 winner is Clairen Hodges of Handley HS in Roanoke, AL. Clairen will be attending Southern Union State Community College in Wadley, Alabama and pursuing a degree in nursing or biology to later expand her education to a four year university. She then plans to attend medical school and would love the opportunity to work at the Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama as an emergency room doctor or nurse. Clairen loves working with kids and desires to work in a profession where she is able to physically help children in need. She realizes pursuit of this career will consume a lot of her personal family time but believes she will be abundantly blessed by touching the lives of many families. Congratulations to Clairen for her many accomplishments!
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Meet more of our . . . . .
2011-2012 District Anchor Coordinators Brenda Steelman - District Anchor Coordinator - Texas Brenda has been a member of the Pilot Club of El Campo for 20 years. She has served as President, President Elect, Recording Secretary, and Director, in addition to serving as the Lifeline Coordinator , Anchor Sponsor, Projects Coordinator and Fundraising Co-Chair. Brenda has also served as the District Fundraising Coordinator and Awards Jury Chair. She enjoys volunteering at the TBI Camp at Camp For All for adults who have suffered traumatic brain injuries and attending the Annual Group Home Dance sponsored by the PC of El Campo. Brenda has been married to John Steelman for 36 years. They have two daughters, both married, and the first granddaughter on the way. Brenda has worked for NewFirst National Bank in El Campo for 28 years. In addition to Pilot activities, Brenda is a member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and a Houston Hospice –El Campo volunteer. She enjoys spending time with her family, quilting and cooking.
Kathy DeGeneres - District Anchor Coordinator - LA Kathy is retired from the Livingston Parish School System after 43 years of teaching English, business classes, and serving as an administrator. She recently celebrated her 25th year as a Pilot member. During that time, Denham Springs HS Anchor Club was chartered (1986) and Kathy served as its Advisor for 10 years. The club was named Outstanding Club numerous times. Kathy reflects, “During those years, my times with the Anchors were some of the most rewarding of my career.” The service projects on safety, community service and helping the Pilots always kept Kathy and the Club busy as well as having much fun. Kathy says, “Traveling to conventions, attending Freedom Foundation, constructing a float, riding in the local Mardi Gras parades and having sleep-ins in my classroom are only a few of the many memories I have.” As a Pilot, Kathy has continued her connection with the DSHS Anchor Club, and assisting the current Advisor with many of the activities. She has been married to her husband, Lloyd (a DSHS teacher, coach, and administrator) for 45 years. She is also a Trustee for the Livingston Parish Library Board, a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teachers’ sorority, the Livingston Youth and Family Counseling Board, Suburban Reviewers Book Club, and a lector at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Joseph Cunningham - District Anchor Coordinator - SC As a former Anchor, the principles of friendship and service have always been an integral part of Joseph’s life. He continues to instill those principles in the first elementary school Anchor Club in the South Carolina District, the Anchor Club of Pine Grove Elementary School, which he helped charter in 2009. Joseph has been an active member of the PC of Columbia since 2006, serving as Youth/Anchor Division Coordinator, Director, President-elect and President. He has been an elementary educator for 15 years in the Richland County School District. Joseph has been recognized as Teacher of the Year within his school. He also serves as the state alumni chair for Delta Omicron International Music Fraternity, a Life Member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma and is a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha International. Joseph feels that the time and energy we invest in our youth today is both beneficial and vital to secure the future of our world.
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Looking back . . . . 2011-2012 Congratulations to the new Anchor Clubs that were Chartered:
Club Anchor Club of Lincoln Park
Sponsoring PC
Advisor
St. Lucie County , FL
Amanda Blacketer
Baker HS Anchor Club
Main Street , LA
Kelly Haynes
Dora HS Anchor Club
Jasper, AL
Keslie Woods
Academy
In addition to the chartered Clubs above, there are several others in the planning stages and will no doubt become a new Anchor Club in the days ahead!
Thanks to all those dedicated individuals who worked so hard in making these new Anchor Clubs a reality! We appreciate you!
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New Club . . . . News Anchor Club of Baker HS - LA We welcome our new Anchor Club in the Louisiana District. The Anchor Club of Baker HS was chartered February 25 and is sponsored by the Main Street Pilot Club. The Club’s Advisor is Kelly Haynes. PI President Beverly Wilkes was able to join the Anchors for the chartering ceremony! Congratulations Anchors! Thank you members of the Main Street PC for your hard work in making this Anchor Club a reality!
Dora High School Anchor Club - AL Welcome to our newest Anchor Club, Dora HS in the Alabama District. The Club is sponsored by the PC of Jasper, AL. The charter ceremony was held May 15 and attended by many special guests, including PI President Beverly Wilkes. The Club’s Advisor is Keslie Woods. Congratulations to all the Anchors, Keslie and the members of the Pilot Club of Jasper! It is because of their belief in and commitment to the Anchor program that we celebrate a new Club!
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2012 District Conventions
Florida
District
Kissimm e
e, Flori da
Texas District
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More District Convention Pictures .. . . . . .
Alabama District
South Carolina District
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More District Convention Pictures .. . . . . .
Louisiana District
2012 International Anchor Conference Las Vegas!!!! The 2012 International Anchor Conference will be held July 1822, 2012 at Bally’s in Las Vegas! This will be an exciting time for the Anchors . . . with a great agenda of activities and events. Be sure to get your registration form completed and mailed to PI Headquarters or go on line and register. You won’t want to miss this exciting event! For information, check out the PI website at or contact Bonnie at bonnie@pilothq.org.
www.pilotinternational.org
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