May Newsletter
Table of Contents I. II. III. IV. V.
Greetings From Your Editor Upcoming Events Introduction-The Locksmith Committee Heads 2013-2014 Divisional Service Project - AIDS Walk Club Service Events i. Chinatown Business Improvement District Fair ii. Mother’s Day Cards iii. Smile Train Fundraiser iv. Walk Now for Autism Speaks VI. Contact Information
Greetings From Your Editor Hello Stuyvesant Key Club, This is Dorothy Chen, your Bulletin Editor for the 2013-2014 service year. We had an incredible service month and even though the school year is going to end soon, key club spirit is always with you! Newsletter is back!! We have our new Locksmith Committee heads, Jane Chen and Wei Hou Wu. We will provide you the information from the Key Club, so that you can feel more connection and spirit. I hope the newsletter not only inform you that you are in the Key Club Family, but also a chance for you to show your passion for community services. Therefore, remember to submit your articles and photos to the Locksmith. In this way, all Stuyvesant Key Clubbers can be inspired. Yours in the Spirit of Service, Dorothy Chen Your Bulletin Editor
Upcoming Events â—?
Stuyvesant Key Club Induction 2012 - 2013 Service Year Date: Thursday, June 20, 2013 Time: 2pm. to 5pm. Location: Lok Ting Restaurant 290 Grand Street Price: Official members: 9$ per person; Nonofficial members/ Outside friends: 10$ per person
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Divisional BBQ Fundraiser Date: Saturday, June 22, 2013 Time: 11am. to whenever you would like to leave Location: Meadow Lack Price: 10$ per person
Introduction– The Locksmith Committee Heads 2013-2014
My name is Jane Chen of Stuyvesant’s Class of 2015. I grew up in Brooklyn near a public library where I first realized my love for reading, writing, and community service. Although I stopped going to the library after school due to the workload in junior high, I continued to write fictional stories and read books in the curriculum. Honestly, I did not enjoy those three years as much as I would have liked, but upon my arrival in Stuy, my passions were renewed once again. My goal is to make the best out of the 2013-2014 service year with the help of our wonderful cabinet members, committee heads, and other Key Club members. I look forward to the upcoming year and any challenges or surprises that come with it.
My name is Wei Hou Wu, soon to be a junior in Stuyvesant High School. I was born and lived for some time in the Guangdong Province in China before moving to the United States in 2003. Although it was a new environment, there was little difficulty in adjusting due to some very helpful teachers and guiding parents. English comes to me like a native language now, and I enjoy writing and reading. Like Jane, I hope to make this year's Locksmith the best Stuyvesant Key Club newsletter yet and better the club in general throughout the 2013-2014 service year with the help of everyone else. It will be hard, but we can do this together!
Divisional Service Project - AIDS Walk AIDS Walk (5/19) Despite the endless rain, many Key Clubbers still arrived in Central Park on May, 19th where one of the most anticipated events of the year took place, the AIDS walk. Thousands of people from all over the city came together to support a single cause, proving just how strong the New York community can be despite the recent Boston marathon bombings that shook the East Coast. People were willing to take a chance and maintain a state of optimism as they attended the walk. The trek was 6.2 miles in heavy showers. Yet, the morale was high. In fact, some took it as a bonding experience. Team effort was needed to carry on the walk. At checkpoints, Key Clubbers worked together to build a temporary shelter of umbrellas for people to rest under. A wonderful afternoon of talking and eating in the rain was spent, in addition to fulfilling the selfless cause. Although the walk has ended, the efforts to support the cause continue to inspire; donations are still being accepted online as of June 14th, 2013. In total, over $4.3 million raised from the efforts of multiple groups throughout New York City, including Stuyvesant Key Club. This money goes towards research for possible cures for HIV/AIDS and medical supplies for over 33 million people who are plagued by this disease. For example, some of these funds go to Africa where medical care does not have as high a priority as there is in the United States. Not only does the annual AIDS walk help earn money by the millions, it also helps raise awareness and reminds people all over the nation that this is and will be a continuous problem global wide until an effective solution can be found. By Jane Chen and Wei Hou Wu
Chinatown Business Improvement District Fair Chinatown BID Fair (6/2) Children, accompanied by their parents and grandparents, stared in awe as a handful of balloons swayed in the wind. Volunteers worked diligently to prepare the streets for its opening; some worked in shifts and took turns blowing up balloons while others wandered along Mott Street, distributing them to passersby and spreading the word about the street fair that was soon to start. On the more laborious side, other Key Clubbers unloaded colorful tables with matching chairs from the awaiting trucks to prepare for a day of work and play. In almost no time at all, tents, tables, and games were set up for people of all ages. One of the main features was the lifesize Chinese chess set, which spanned the width of nearly two stores. Each chess piece was crafted out of cardboard. rimmed with tubular coin wrappers, and finished with a large, handwritten Chinese character. This huge chess set was especially made for the finalists of the Chinese chess tournament held during the event, attracting an older audience. On the other end of the spectrum, free face painting, an inflatable bounce house, a mini Ferris Wheel, a spinning apple (similar to the more popularly associated “spinning tea cup�), board games, and a reading corner were set up to entertain children of all ages. There was even a stage where music, both live and recorded, was played through the loudspeaker system for anyone who just happened to pass by the area. -Continued on page 7-
Chinatown Business Improvement District Fair
Chinatown BID Fair (6/2) -continued from page 6It was rare to see a street fair in Chinatown, especially after the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy last October. This was, in fact, the second street fair this month, both of which were hosted by Wellington Chen and supported by the Chinatown District Management Association, also known as the Chinatown Business Improvement District (BID). “A BID Board is run by local property owners and commercial tenants who determine [the] cost and scope of services,” states the official Chinatown BID website. “A BID is more than cleaning streets; it can provide marketing and special events, and advocate for a fair share of government services.” With a growing number BIDs developing in nearby neighborhoods, BID Boards are motivated by constant competition to make their own neighborhood the best in New York City. This recent street fair was made possible thanks to the Stuyvesant students and volunteers from other organizations who created such a well planned and organized street fair. Wellington states that his primary goal is to revive Chinese culture in Manhattan after the damage Sandy dealt last year, and there was no doubt that he succeeded to do so. By Jane Chen
Mother’s Day Cards Mother’s Day Cards Room 335 was never as lively and loving as it was on May 15, 2013. Dozens of Key Clubbers walked constantly about the room, exchanging paper, art supplies, and ideas with each other as they worked to produce Mother’s Day Cards for the mothers of New York. The room was nicely air conditioned and music was on for the members to enjoy as they worked. "I enjoyed making the cards, and found both the environment and music very relaxing," junior Ivan Chen said. In addition to just helping out, there was also a reward for the one who made the best card. Although the details were not disclosed, members were encouraged to make every card their best, with the mysterious ticket from Kiwanis hovering in the background. For most, it was a nice Key Club event out of the typical duties involved in walks and divisionals. It fostered the members’ creativity and art, and every card made would make another person’s day. It was an interactive and fun activity that gave the members’ a sense of accomplishment, and the reward was much more than just the 10 points per card. For some, it was another chance to experience the atypical event. There were few times when large amounts of Stuy Key Clubbers could gather together in one room to work towards a common goal. No matter how interesting the other activities were, the fieldwork does not compare to the magic of the room. “I actually had a lot of fun … because I didn’t go to the Christmas card making [event], I felt like I missed out, so I was really glad I went to this card making event,” sophomore Locksmith committee head Jane Chen said. By Wei Hou Wu
Smile Train Fundraiser & Walk Now for Autism Speaks Smile Train Fundraiser When a friend of mine suggested that we use our lunch period to volunteer for Key Club at the Smile Train fundraiser, I couldn’t see a reason not to. Though I was not sure what, exactly, Smile Train was, I always like the idea of helping out. I later found out that Smile Train was an organization that raises money for children with clefts around the world. A cleft palate prevents a child from eating and speaking properly, and exposes them to ridicule as it is a very noticeable deformity. It is a problem which can be solved surgically, but children in developing countries do not always have access to the medical care they need. Smile Train raises money for this corrective surgery to improve the quality of life of these children around the world. When I found out about the organization I was glad that I had volunteered. My friend and I had fourth period lunch, so we had to go up to the staff member’s office to set up the merchandise. We carried it down and set up a table in the lunchroom. Setting everything up took about ten minutes. There were mugs, rings, necklaces, buttons, rubber ducks, and a myriad of different bracelets for sale. None were specifically Smile Train paraphernalia, but almost all were in support of some cause or other. We tried to make sure the table looked densely populated with wares. We spread out the mugs and ducks, making sure everything looked presentable. Though the prices were a bit high, it was a fundraiser, and therefore justi-
fiable. We were positioned near the exit, so most of the sales were made towards the end of the period. The trick was to convince people to stop at the table, whilst not coming off as too much of a solicitor. This was easy with my friends, who stopped to talk to me anyway. While we conversed, I tried to convince them to buy something to support Smile Train. With strangers, however, I had to become more extroverted. “Have a heart!” and “Support Smile Train!” I could be heard yelling as noisy students filed past me and out of the lunchroom. Once I caught one, the rest were hooked. I’d show them the menagerie of goods we had, naming the best qualities of each, recommending, “Buy one for you, one for your friend!” Once everyone had finally left the lunchroom, we had to wait for the next period’s volunteers to show up, which they did most punctually. Overall, it was a fun and positive experience which I would be more than willing to repeat. By Daniel Zabari
Walk Now for Autism Speaks It was in the midst of the AP season, but for all the academic responsibilities the students held, several Key Clubbers dedicated to supporting their cause went to the Citi Field Stadium in Flushing on Sunday, May 5th to join the crowd in Walk Now for Autism Speaks. As the volunteers entered, they were greeted by rows of tents set up for the occasion, tents for registration, food, and refreshments. All visitors were given complimentary T-shirts for their effort and to commemorate the walk’s 9th anniversary. Soon afterwards, the crowds began to gather at the stadium entrance, eager to support the efforts of the Autism Speaks foundation. As the Key Clubbers walked into the stadium, they were met with a grand entrance, with chandeliers, escalators and storefronts. They were then taken into a series of passages in which the walls were covered in posters of baseball stars. When the group arrived in the open field, each member was taken aback by the amount of effort put into the planning of this event: guides were stationed at every turn, the baseball field was clearly roped off to be off limits, and the electronic boards on either side of the stadium said, "Thank you for walking with Autism Speaks". New Yorkers’ spirits were at an all-time high as families and teams came together, some even wearing matching apparel. As they passed by, walkers along with our fellow Key Clubbers left their footprints on cushions lining the wall, symbolizing the day they all joined forces to support Autism Speaks. The walk continued outside the stadium as the walkers tread through the parking lot as well. And upon their return they were met with energetic cheerleaders, who jumped and cheered. One can only say that this experience was well worth a Sunday morning. By Jeffrey Zheng
Contact Information Divisional Board Lieutenant Governor Lillian Xie
Phone: 1 (917) 588-3238 Email: lilianxie.ltg@nydkc.org
Stuyvesant Key Club If you have any question or concern, please email to stuyvesantkeyclub@gmail.com Submit your articles and photos to dorothy.chenqu@gmail.com
Website: Facebook: Email:
http://stuykc.github.io, https://www.facebook.com/groups/stuykc/?bookmark_t=group stuyvesantkeyclub@gmail.com