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TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor’s Note
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New E-Board
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Monument Quilt
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CSC Fashion Show
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LIRR Cleanup
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Hobbs Farm
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Veteran’s Dance
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Bake Sales
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Paper Cranes
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Relay For Life
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More Photos
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the EXECUTIVE BOARD Amanda Tam
Lissette Singh
President sbucirclek.pres@gmail.com
Treasurer sbucirclek.treas@gmail.com
Cora Man
Aprille Abuan
Vice President
Editor
sbucirclek.vp@gmail.com
sbucirclek.edit@gmail.com
Katie Lim
Nicole Chan
Secretary sbucirclek.sec@gmail.com
Executive Assistant sbucirclek.ea@gmail.com
Edgar Hu Lieutenant Governor Leah Liu
Tasnia Islam
Jake Fogel
Fundraising
Fundraising
Service
Sadqa Jamal
Hareem Ahmed
Li Yi Yu
Kiwanis Relation
Kiwanis Relation
Media
Norman Piatek
Helen Zhao
Stephania Catarino
Sergeant-in-Arms
Sergeant-in-Arms
Public Relations
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EDITOR’SNOTE
H
ello! My name is Aprille, and I am the Editor for the 20152016 service year of Stony Brook University’s Circle K. Welcome to this year’s spring issue! I am starting off this service year with bright colors, looking forward to a fun and fulfilling year. The cover highlights our new club t-shirt design, created by yours truly, so please look out for our members sporting the new design throughout the newsletter. One of my goals for SBU Circle K is to push forward a simple, minimalist and professional aesthetic that can provide an eyecatching sense of organization. New year comes with old and new faces, with fresh new goals so I hope that this newsletter will bring an atmosphere of unity and love for service, leadership and fellowship. On the following pages, you will see the events we have done for the month of April and May. The spring brought forth warm weather which
meant LOTS of events, service projects as well as bake sales! I hope you have fun reading the articles written and photos taken by our members We got some awesome, inspiring, fantastic people in our club and I will not hesitate showing them all off. This new year also brought us quite a refreshing Executive Board. You will be seeing some old and new faces so let’s welcome them with open arms. We have some exciting goals for the year and we are looking forward to spread our passion and love for Circle K to everyone. I have created a new website for our club, so please check it out! I started a blog within the site that highlights some of the special moments that have had happened during meetings and events. It is a bit informal compared to the newsletter but I believe a blog would be a good way to show we are inspired individuals who seek to spread our passion as a unified club.
Enjoy!
Aprille Abuan SBU Circle K Editor
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MEET THE NEW
EXECUTIVE BOARD
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Amanda Tam
Cora Man
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
Nickname? Mom, Mama Tam, Tam-Tam, Teacher Tam
Nickname? KK
Year? Sophomore
Year? Junior
Major: Social Welfare
Major: Health Science
Favorite song of 2014-2015? Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
Favorite song of 2014-2015? Sugar by Maroon 5
Favorite Circle K moment ? “Deafening Cora every time I hit the bell and… at the CSC's Fashion Show, I talked about Circle K in front of everyone and you guys cheered for me :')“
Favorite Circle K moment? “Times when everyone laughs at Amanda”
Summer Plans? “Working as a Conference Housing Assistant at Stony Brook and volunteering at the Ronald McDonald Family Room in the hospital“ Fun facts about yourself? “I haven't seen any episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender. I love whipped cream and I am addicted to chocolate.” Favorite Superhero? “Superman or Spider-man” Goals for Circle K? “Increase dues-paid membership while maintaining high levels of retention. Set up funds for future service years through USG. Raise enough money to help pay for people to attend conferences! Have multiple members of Stony Brook CKI be part of the District Board. My overall goal, above all else, is to create a sense of fellowship and family while increasing service hours and generating a sense of community to encourage everyone to become leaders.“
Summer Plans? “Summer classes and shadowing a physician“ Fun facts about yourself? “I can lick my elbow and I can’t sleep without my dolphin.” Favorite Superhero? “My main man Iron Man” Goals for Circle K? “Double the members. Double the service projects. $1000 fundraising goal. Win all the awards at DCON”
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Lissette Singh
Katie Lim
TREASURER
SECRETARY
Nickname? Liss or Setty
Nickname? none
Year? Junior
Year? Freshman
Major: Health Science
Major: Psychology
Favorite song of 2014-2015? Trap Queen
Favorite song of 2014-2015? Hero by the Family of the Year
Favorite Circle K moment? “Jars of stars for Make-A-Wish”
Favorite Circle K moment? “Times when everyone is laughing together”
Summer Plans? “Traveling across the country.”
Summer Plans? “Fun.”
Fun facts about yourself? “I watched the entire series of The Office about 50 times and I have three tattoos and seven piercings.”
Fun facts about yourself? “I like cleaning and doing chores. Grey’s Anatomy is life.”
Favorite Superhero? “Batman.” Goals for Circle K? “More $$$$$. I'm excited for new fundraisers and getting rid of dues early so we can donate to new causes and dedicate more time to community service.”
Favorite Superhero? “Starfire from Teen Titans (lol)” Goals for Circle K? “I hope that we all get closer and become more like a family and have more service projects and more events.”
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Aprille Abuan
Nicole Chan
EDITOR
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Nickname? Jencel, April, Mom, Ape
Nickname? none
Year? Sophomore
Year? Freshman
Major: Health Science
Major: Health Science
Favorite song of 2014-2015? Riptide—Vance Joy
Favorite song of 2014-2015? “Probably a kpop song…”
Favorite Circle K moment? “The group animal handshake ice-breaker”
Favorite Circle K moment? “Relay for Life luminaria ceremony”
Summer Plans? “Summer classes. Volunteering. Video games. Sleeping.”
Summer Plans? “Working. Adventuring Funning.”
Fun facts about yourself? “I run a tumblr about superheroes and I also taught myself how to draw and play the piano :>“
Fun facts about yourself? “I used to work at the Hall of Science and dissected cow eyes and played with liquid nitrogen.”
Favorite Superhero? “It’s like asking me what my favorite food is, so no.”
Favorite Superhero? “Captain America!”
Goals for Circle K? “Make our club look mad fresh. Get mad money. Get mad members. Get mad awesome by starting awesome events.”
Goals for Circle K? “More events, projects, involvement and happiness!”
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EVENTS
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LIR
MONUMENT QUILT CSC FASHION SHOW
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RRCLEANUP NICOLE CHAN
O
n April 11, 2015, an early Saturday
into a fight with a pole, and lost (she really just
morning, a few of the Circle K members
hit her head because she wasn’t careful). We
trekked
out
finished picking up trash rather early and we
Commuter Services with their event, the LIRR
then helped out to plant. We were left to our
Clean-up. Upon arriving, we lined up to sign in
best judgment to pick places where the plants
and receive our free “What’s a Seawolf” t-shirt.
would look aesthetically pleasing and placed
After putting on our shirt, we also layered on top
them there. Overall, it was a very rewarding
a bright orange vest, some gloves, and grabbed
experience. It was a pretty big turn out and it
a couple of trash bags, ready for work. Our job
was especially nice to see how many people
was to pick up anything that we found along the
cared and wanted to help. The help wasn’t just
Long Island Railroad station and separate it into
limited to Stony Brook University students but
actual trash (straws, wrappers, and napkins)
also people that lived nearby as well.
and recyclables (cans, bottles, glass). Besides
event was a way to give back directly to our
the general things that are usually found we
community by showing respect for the train
also found some unusual discarded items such
station that we, as Stony Brook students use as
as
well. The clean-up also serves to benefit the
a
along
printer,
Circle
an
Road
to
unopened
help
Pure
Leaf
This
Unsweetened Ice Tea, and a miniature scepter
community
that we later used to help us reach things that
emotionally by looking at a more aesthetically
our arms couldn’t get.
pleasing station.
Although we were
environmentally,
or
even
picking up trash it was a lot of fun, it was kind of like playing I Spy and we would really have to pay attention to any things that were
hidden.
Having
to
maneuver through bushes and branches to be able to reach things was also entertaining, despite the smell of some of the trash. The most memorable part of the event was probably when Janice Lin, Circle K member, got
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V
olunteering at Hobbs Farm was definitely not easy but the experience was so worthwhile. The 11 acre farm managed by a family is dedicated to growing food that’s almost entirely
donated to soup kitchens and food pantries. Volunteers come and help keep the farm growing and donations provide the farm with the dirt and other necessary materials. It was a beautiful sunny Saturday when we went and even though it was freezing because of the wind, we got hard to work. We shoveled dirt and planted cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts for nearly three hours straight.
HOBBSFARM LI YI YU
Thirty minutes into the first hour we were already complaining about our legs and backs from all the crouching and digging. But we soon forgot about that as we were introduced to the tractor that everyone wanted a turn on. The three hours flew by and afterwards, Circle K International along with the Environmental Club were provided with a lunch of heroes, coleslaw, potatoes and doughnuts. The selflessness from the owners and the amount of heart they put into their work and project is an inspiration to us all.
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VETERANSHOMEDANCE TASNIA ISLAM
The 50’s- an era captured by the effortless swagger of James Dean, classic rock n’ roll from the likes of Elvis Presley, and style icons like Audrey Hepburn. Some may think the 50’s vibe is a relic of the past, but the End of Year Dance on Thursday, April 30th at Long Island Veteran’s Home right here on Stony Brook campus transported everyone in attendance back to a sock hop straight out of Grease. Organized by our very own CKI President Amanda Tam as well as Jess McKay and the wonderful Langmuir Hall Council, the End of Year Dance was an evening filled with great music, décor, and best of all, the lively spirit of the senior citizens. Together, I along with other volunteers from Circle K and Langmuir Hall Council, worked to fill the recreation room with festive black and pink decorations and seat the senior citizens at tables. We truly invested in
the 50’s theme of the evening, with some volunteers rocking their finest fifties attire, myself included! Musical hits from Grease, the king Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, and many others got us in the dancing mood, even encouraging some of the senior citizens to join us. The life of the party was Joe, a senior I had the pleasure of singing “Sweet Caroline” with. With his joy and contagious energy, one would have never guessed that he was 102 years old! An already amazing night was made even sweeter when we made and served root beer floats to all of the guests. As we wheeled the senior citizens back their rooms and bid them goodnight, it could be seen without a doubt that everyone, regardless of age, had a perfect evening straight from the 50’s. I know I’m not the only one when I say that I can’t wait until the next one! 17
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lowers are blooming, warmer days are coming and students are slowing reaching the end of their meal plans. The sun is shining brightly but we all can't forget the stress that comes in the end of the year. Presentations, projects and papers are usually due at this time of the semester and students are looking for a few seconds to breathe. Let's not even start talking about finals.
has
Baked goods are always comforting and they never fail to bring a smile to someone's face. So Stony Brook University's CKI planned two bake sales to fundraise and bring a little bit of happiness to the campus. Planning for the bake sales has given us to the opportunity to see our skills in action. A new service year
allowed us to create a whole network with a new E-Board and new members. We sought to make something memorable and sort of a "brand" so the campus community can recognize us more. Thus, the creation of Circle K-ookies. Circle K-ookies are chocolate chip cookies made with an extra dash of Leadership, Service and Fellowship. Along with these cookies, we decided to make the best brownies in the world, the cookie-dough, oreo, brownie trifecta: slutty brownies. Thank you again to all the members that helped out to bake and sell. We started off with a good public presence for this new service year. We even got one of our members' friend who bought 4 slutty brownies and more people who wanted to come back for more which gave more hype to our next bake sale held on May 4th. 18
BAKESALE APRILLE ABUAN
Now, this bake sale turned out to be more fun than the last as one of our members, Tasnia, pointed out that May 4th is also known as Star Wars Day. We all decided to make up Star Wars-themed names for our yodalicious baked goods. (It was more like a battle of who could make up the best puns).
took some of the goods to sell outside. What even made this bake sale more meaningful was the fact that proceeds went toward disaster relief for Nepal Earthquake victims.
It was an unforgettable day, seeing many faces light up when they heard that Circle K was having another bake sale. We hope that For this bake sale, we made Chewie Cookies, this feeling last for all our future projects. Death (by chocolate) Star truffles, PadmeFor more photos of our bake sales and see lines, and Republicakes. all the goodies, please check out our site gallery! The day was beautiful and many students were out enjoying the sun so many members
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n our meetings on April 22nd and 29th, we folded paper cranes to donate to the Children's Hospital at Stony Brook University Hospital. They were fulfilling days as members worked with each other, teaching each other how to fold colorful origami paper into beautiful cranes. By the end of these meetings, we were able to fold over a hundred cranes, ready to bring some color to children's and families' hearts. On May 10th, our president, Amanda, went to the hospital to give the cranes to the families: A sister and mom came in to the room and I offered them a string of cranes and the sister took it very happily and said her sister would love it. She would love it because it looks like a rainbow. She came back in to the room later and said that her sister loves it! (Her sister is the patient). I gave her a string of them later on.
and stared at it in wonder. "What are they?" "They're paper cranes!" "Thank you!!" Just as a mom was about to leave the room with a plate of macaroni and a bag of chips, she saw a news report about her son on the tv. Her son was hit by a baseball in the chest two days ago and his heart stopped working for 20 seconds. A bystander, a Long Island cop, shocked him back to life. She stopped and watched the news segment and I could see her shaking. I grabbed a string of cranes and asked if I could drape it around her shoulders and she said she felt like a princess.
A mom and son came in and I heard the son talk about the cranes hung on the refrigerator. I offered him a string of orange and white ones and then I gave his mom a string of orange, white, blue, white cranes (in that order). She told her mom passed away and her mom's favorite color is orange and the first crane at the top of her string was orange and she said her mom would have loved the paper cranes. And then she looked at her son's cranes and said oh my! And I almost started crying. I gave a dad a set of cranes for his daughter and he asked me to teach him how to fold one. He's going to give it to his sick daughter. He pointed to some flowers and said the nurses didn't allow flowers in his daughter's room, so the cranes are absolutely perfect. A mom was putting in some money in to the donation box and I said thank you! And she said of course!... I've been here three weeks already.. I shouted out "Wait!" as she was leaving the room and asked her which string of cranes she would like. She pointed to the one with a blue crane
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RELAYFORLIFE AMANDA TAM & APRILLE ABUAN
Relay for Life is a walk to raise funds to fight cancer. Team members take turns throughout the twelve hour walk to take a few laps around the track. This year, the walk was at Stony Brook University’s soccer fields and it ran from 12 PM to 12 AM on April 25th! We all brought blankets and made a giant picnic on the grass. The day was oddly cold and windy, so everyone wore Amanda’s jackets, scarves, gloves, and hats to wear during the walk. Carmen decided to look like a really messy ninja and wrapped a blarf (blanket-scarf) around her head. We never thought that we would ever use our winter coats again until that day.
The other thirteen of us got up a few times to dance with the crowd and to participate in the water balloon toss game. Norm and Jake barely beat Amanda and Aprille, but they ended in defeat when Norm dropped the balloon after smoothly catching it. This event was half fun and games and half really touching. The first two laps of the walk were called the Survivors Lap and the Caregivers Lap. The father of a student at Stony Brook was a keynote guest (a cancer survivor) and led the pack with Wolfie. Another memorable lap was the Lighting of the Luminarias. The Luminaria bags were lit during the Luminaria Ceremony that took place after dark. 22
other members started to sit with her and support her. The member said that she went to Relay for Life last year alone, just three months after her grandfather died and this year felt more comforting now that she was with her fellow Circle K members. Eventually, everyone gathered together and sat in a circle and talked about the loved ones that they lost to cancer, stories that were sad and happy. It was a really touching bonding moment that no one will forget.
The glowing bags were meant to remember people we have lost to cancer, honor people who have fought cancer in the past, and support those whose fight continues. The Relay track glowed as people silently walked the track. Many walkers cried and others hugged them throughout the walk. One particular member sat down in front of a luminaria made for her grandfather, whom she had lost to pulmonary carcinoma last year and she was alone until
At the end of the night, the committee chairs of the Relay showed the total amount of money raised and we all felt a united sense of accomplishment that we are all closer to defeating this horrible disease. Shoutout to all members who stayed the whole night!! We hope to do this again next year, hopefully with more members and friends!
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Please visit out sbucirclek.wix.com/home for our blog and more photos! 25
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