April 2015 Newsletter

Parsippany Hills High School’s

KEY NOTES Volume XLI Issue I | April 2015

Inside This Issue:

Note from the Editors Dinner-Theater DCON Recap Food Bank Project Spring CSH Cards LTG Interview Final Remarks

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Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 1

Note From The Editors “Noting all of the Keys this Month”

Hello PHHS Key Clubbers!!!!

So many important events have happened in the month of March. From the Senior Citizen Dinner-Theatre to the anticipated 69th Annual District Convention, we look back at the 2014-2015 service year fondly and at the same time look forward to a brand new year of Key Club. As this year’s board members step down from their respective positions , the new board members quickly adjusted to their appropriate roles; the whole cycle starts again, much like the transition of winter to spring!

That being said, we are so excited to serve as your 2015- 2016 bulletin editors!

We are honored to be in such an amazing club that positively impacts our community. We also hope that you guys spend the time to read our articles and spread awareness of all of Key Club’s events. So let’s make this new service year a great one Par Hills!

Yours in Caring and Service,

Sharon Christian and tara Srinivasan

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 2

Senior Dinner-Theater Interview On Wednesday, March 18, we hosted our annual Senior Citizen Dinner-Theater in the cafeteria. The evening was open to all local senior citizens, who enjoyed an appetizing meal complete with fresh salad, pasta and meatballs, and cake before heading to the auditorium to view the Spring Musical, Crazy for You. With Key Clubbers supplying the ingredients and their hosting services, the kitchens preparing the delicious meal, and the drama club providing the after-dinner entertainment, the night was a huge success. We were able to get some feedback from our valued guests at a few tables: How are you enjoying your meal?

Table 1: “The meal is absolutely delicious and the meatballs were really good.”

Table 2: “The meatballs were amazing!”

Table 3: “The food is great and we are enjoying the camaraderie of the people around us.”

Is this the first time here for anyone, or have you attended the Dinner-Theater before?

Table 1: “It is our first time.”

Table 2: “ We’ve been here a couple of times.”

Table 3: “This is our 18th or 19th time!”

Do you have any suggestions for next year's Dinner-Theater?

Table 1: “It could use some more publicity.”

Table 2: “Maybe some ribeye and lobster tail?”

Table 3: “All the young people are doing a great job, but the event should have better publicity because we only found out yesterday.”

What are some of the plays you remember attending?

Table 1: [First time] Table 2: “Shrek” Table 3: “Anything Goes” Would you come here again?

Table 1: “Absolutely, we are great supporters.”

Table 2: “Yes.” Table 3: "Of course!"

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 3

p a c Re What truly makes Key Club so magical? DCON. Seeing is believing after all: a convention

held during the weekend can really bring the whole NJ District of Key Clubbers close together.

DCON created cordial and memorable relationships, tipped us on how to maximize ourselves to be the best in our local clubs, and— most importantly— inspired us to help and change the world in new ways. The New Jersey District Convention made us truly proud of being Key Clubbers by recognizing our accomplishments. Fall Rally had 3,000 Key Clubbers in Six Flags Great Adventure, ELIMINATIONs (a.k.a volleyball tournaments) raised over $6,000 to help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus and other fundraising events by the Kiwanis family helped raise over close to four million dollars in five years.

Tons of events happened during our stay in Ocean Place Spa & Resort in Long branch, NJ : caucusing to determine new board members, attending workshops and claiming some awards. To top it off was the food and the free time at the boardwalk.

This weekend was a gateway between the 20142015 Key Club service year to the 2015-2016 year. The former district board and LTGs said their heartfelt goodbyes as the new board members took their Club Bulletin Award, 2nd place positions. And although the faces have changed, the message still remains the same: “ Caring— Our Way Golden Member Award of Life” Gold Achievement, 2nd place The 69th annual DCON truly changed 650 Service Award passionate Key Clubbers by inspiring them to make Early Bird Award the world a better place and help others “Discover the Spirit Stick Competition Magic of Service”.

Some awards we won:

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 4

Magical M emories

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 5

District Project: NJ Federation of Food Banks The weekend of Friday, March 27 to

Sunday, March 29 at District Convention marked the end of the 2014-2015 service year, and the conclusion of a magical year supporting the Eliminate Project as the District Project. The project was a huge success, and the district raised over $6,000 in funds. Now, we are proud to announce the New Jersey Federation of Food Banks as the new service project Key Club will be taking on! “The Federation” makes a difference in the lives of around 1,000,000 ordinary citizens in our state that are at risk of hunger.

To do this they collect and donate fresh produce every day. With Key Club joining forces with them, we hope to make an even greater impact— and conquer hunger in New Jersey as best we can.

Spring CSH Cards Spring is here! And you know what that means: Spring CSH cards! Handmade cards really make a profound impact on the Children’s Specialized Hospitals.

To help bring a smile to a child’s face, be sure to hand in a Spring-themed card by the end of April. The more the merrier!

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 6

Interview with our New LTG: Priya Lad! We are proud to introduce our new and current LTG from Parsippany High School, Priya

Lad! This past weekend March 27-29 at DCON, Priya was announced as the official LTG of Division 20. She was happy to answer a few questions we had so that we could get a more clear description of her motivation to become a LTG. What made you want to become a Lieutenant Governor?

As a freshman, I sat all the way in the back at DCON completely clueless of what Key Club actually meant. I was unsure of what the club truly had the offer since I joined thinking we actually made keys. As foolish as I was, I was completely blown away by the fact that a student run organization could make such a difference on world-wide spectrum. During my freshman year at DCON, I listened and learned and when I first saw the district board up on the stage, I turned to one of best friends and said, "That will be me one day".

Now I'm here. The fact that we are able to turn our aspirations into helping someone else's lives is absolutely outstanding. I ran for the position of LTG because I felt a necessary need to get involved and do more; I care way too much for this one club just to sit around and do nothing.

Who or what would you say was your greatest support on your journey?

My biggest support during my journey wasn't someone or something. It was rather a feeling of pure love and passion that pushed me to strive forward. Though the moment I knew I wanted to make a bigger difference, it was my determination that led me to a wonderful outcome. I strive to reach for the stars because I knew that I fell in "love" with the direction that Key Club heading towards and the action we do. (continued on next page) Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 7

It’s a place where I felt that I could make a difference in the biggest way possible and that is all due to the passion and love I showcase for this club.

What are some of your interests outside of Key Club? In other words, what makes you you?

Though it may seem like Key Club is my life, I'm quite active in other activities and do a lot of things inside and outside of school. Though probably most of my time is spent studying or cramming tests or quizzes, I am an active member in National Art Honors Society, FBLA, Science Olympiad and UNICEF. Outside of school, I participate in Indian classical dance and Sunday School; I also volunteer at Saint Clare's Hospital in Denville. What makes me, however, is the fact that all I basically do is eat, sleep and binge watch numerous TV shows (When I say numerous, I mean like basically everything). You could probably find me on my phone taking pictures of anything or everything so that I could edit them during my free time.

I specialize in sleeping anywhere and eating large amounts of food to fill my appetite, and also enjoying playing around with Photoshop and do a little bit of coding here and there. On days I am free, I like to blast music while painting or drawing a picture or reading a book. If you would like to learn more about me, please feel free to friend me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram, Twitter or just simply chat with me.

You have reached your goal. Do you have any advice for other key clubbers that are still waiting to reach theirs?

I wouldn't quite say I have reached my goal— I am only on the path of getting to my main goal. For all the other key clubbers, it is time to reach your goal. Rather than sitting around and doing nothing, spend your time wisely and make a lasting impression on those around you. Nothing’s going to come to you if you don't work for it and if you just hope for the best, you will not achieve what you want. So, reach for the stars and break a few bones (joking), but get out of your comfort zone and explore everything around you because it will lead to greater heights that you could have never imagined. And for my final words, just truly do what you love and do what makes you happy; even though those sayings are so cliche, they're true.

Reach your goals and create a life that you would never want to take a vacation from.

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I • Page 8

Questions or Comments about all things Key Clubby??

Contact our Exec. Board!

President: Patricia Kou pjkou16@pthsd.net Vice President: Vanessa Ting vhting17@pthsd.net Corresponding Secretary: Asha Patel akpatel17@pthsd.net Recording Secretary: Justin Lu jlu16@pthsd.net Treasurer: Vishal Mansuria vmansuria18@pthsd.net Editor: Sharon Christian schristian16@pthsd.net Editor: Tara Srinivasan nsrinivasan17@pthsd.net Historian: Karoline Xiong kxiong18@pthsd.net Historian:Thomas Shweh tshweh17@pthsd.net

Key Reminders: CSH Cards are due by end of April.

Staff Appreciation week is the first week of May! Bring in candy by 5/5.

Key Notes • April 2015 • Volume XLI Issue I• Page 9