2020 March/April Tex-O-Key

M A R C H

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A P R I L

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tex o key V O L U M E

T E X A S

O K L A H O M A

D I S T R I C T

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O F

I S S U E

K E Y

C L U B

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I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Cypress Creek High SchoolÂ

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FROM THE STAFF Note From The Editor

03

Message from the International Trustee

05

Updates from the District Staff

06

Cypress Ridge High School

Uplift Summit International Preparatory

INFORMATION

Quarantine Service Ideas

09

A Word From Our Committees

10

Farewell 2019-2020 Staff

19

Articles

20 Cinco Ranch High School

INFORMATION LEDCON Cancellation

28

ICON Promotion

29

Key Club Partners

30

Contact Information

33

visit the t-o key club website at

TOKEYCLUB.COM

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NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the final Tex-O-Key of the 2019-2020 chapter. This note will be my last message to you all through this newsletter. I am so proud of our accomplishments this past year and I cannot wait to see the incredible things y'all do in the future. Throughout my year as a District Editor, I have learned so much about Key Club, service, and unadulterated love for my community. I can't even express how grateful I am to have had this experience and although LEDCON is cancelled, I hope to meet you someway somehow. Don't worry; fate will allow our paths to cross again.

I promise I'm done with the sappy stuff now. Let's have a chat about everything that is going on as we speak. This year, 2020, has been extremely memorable. We are only 4 months in but have had enough happen for the duration of a year. I'm sure many of you have had your spring break extended or school cancelled for the rest of the year. If you have had plans you were looking forward to this year, I wish you all the best and that good things come your way in the future. While we are all on quarantine, make sure to practice social distancing and wash your hands often. It is imperative that you guys stay safe and clean! If you are feeling bored, here are some of my favorite things to do during this quarantine: INDOOR SERVICE! Check page 9 for ideas.

Read a new book. Or 20 new books.

Start a new show (or kdrama!)

Learn a new recipe.

Learn a new song.

Redecorate your room.

Change up your hair! (I cut my own bangs last week)

REMEMBER THAT NO ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE ON APRIL 5TH FOR EDITORS OR SECRETARIES. Reach out I hope you all are feeling okay.

to me if you need anything and I will be there for you!

Make sure to click the link below to grade this newsletter.

TEX-O-KEY APRIL FEEDBACK 2019-2020 District Editor signing off,

Vivian Thai

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Saher Khan from Cypress Woods asks: How do you organize the content in your newsletter to draw the most attention?

The cover page should be the first page of your newsletter! Draw in the attention of your audience and provide pictures or graphics that make it stand out. Next, make sure you have a table of content and page numbers so that all information on your newsletter is easily accessible. Within the newsletter itself, I like to include a "Note from the Editor" at the beginning. For club newsletters, it is crucial to have your upcoming events near the front of your newsletter. That way, even if readers don't fully read your newsletter, they will at least see the most important part! An additional tip is to try to have content flow as much as possible.

If you are promoting events or organizations, I'd suggest you keep the promotions together. Find a logical grouping method to implement so your newsletter is easy to follow and attractive to the eye. Contacts are typically found at the end so I would suggest you keep ALL contact information on the last few pages, rather than scattering them throughout the newsletter.

RIDDLE OF THE MONTH: What did the tree say to the flower?

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INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEE

UPDATE To the Texas-Oklahoma District,

As we all know, the recent outbreak of COVID-19 has led to the cancelation of this year’s LEDCON. We’ve also seen schools, malls, parks, restaurants, and so many other public spaces close in order to keep Coronavirus from spreading. My heart breaks for all of you that will not get the opportunity to attend such a well-planned convention. The International Board has been trying to maintain a calm, collected, and most importantly,

positive outlook on the situation as we continue to see more and more people affected by this pandemic. First and foremost, I hope you and all of your loved ones are safe and healthy. The Center for Disease Control and the World Health Organization has put out guidelines and tips to prevent any further spread of the virus that if you are not already familiar with, should absolutely check out. This includes practicing social-distancing. I know that staying at home seems impossible (trust me… I feel your pain), but it is essential to beating this pandemic.

As I continue to work from home, my main responsibility is assisting your Governor and District Administrator in navigating transitions. Governor Ashna has been working so hard to provide Texas-Oklahoma District members with whatever they need as we move forward with the new Key Club year. Like Ashna I know all of you are working to better your homes, schools, and communities in any and every way you can. Please stay safe, and stay positive.

Yours in Service and Friendship,

Contact Information Phone: (813) 297-7663 Email: alexishenry38@gmail.com Instagram: @alexiskhenry

Alexis Henry 2019-2020 Key Club International Trustee Ohio, Kansas, and Texas-Oklahoma Districts Public Relations Committee Chair

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UPDATES FROM TH

Hey Key Clubbers! I can’t believe this year has come to an unexpected end. I was not expecting my last update to be this soon but here it is.

This was a surprise to us all and I am sad to not be able to meet everyone this year. I hope that all of y’all are doing well and staying safe. Although you may not be able to go out and volunteer, make sure to check in on everyone and keep social distancing. This year was an amazing term and I am so glad that I was able to serve everyone this year. It may be my last year but Key Club is always and will always be a part of my life. Don’t forget that you are still able to enter in certain

Lacey Thomas

contests for LEDCON. Everyone have a great rest of the semester and

Tech Producer

hopefully this passes soon!

Hey Texas-Oklahoma! I hope you guys are all staying optimistic and safe during this time. I have had the absolute honor of serving as your District Secretary this year! When I ran for this position, I had promised this district a few things, and I am proud to say that together we were able to achieve each of these goals. One of my goals was to increase our monthly reporting submission rate, which was increased by an average of 10% from last year. I had promised to create new resources for club secretaries, which I accomplished by creating a new edition of the Jolly Book of Wisdom (guidebook for secretaries), reporting tutorials, and published the final points system that lists the point values for becoming a Top 25 club. I also held two online trainings to train secretaries on how to submit reports, become Top 25 clubs, and perform their duties to their fullest capabilities. I was able to see

Kareena Patel District Secretary

tremendous hours spent in serving communities in Texas and Oklahoma by each of YOU! The final Top 25 clubs will be announced within the next few weeks on the www.tokeyclub.com website! You guys have done a remarkable job this year, and I am so glad to have been able to work with a phenomenal group of secretaries! I wish you guys all the best, and keep being world changers in the communities around you!

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HE DISTRICT STAFF Dear T-O,

I am so sorry that this year's LEDCON had to be canceled. I know this is not how we wanted our terms to end, however, our health and safety is top priority. With the sad part out of the way, I would like to brag on your Lieutenant Governors. On the board, you are required to raise, at least, $600.00 in order to attend LEDCON, just like y’all have to pay registration. This year, your Lieutenant Governors raised $25,954.00 in total! This was a big weight on everyone's shoulders, so please congratulate your LTG when you see him or her! This year has been an absolute blessing serving as your Convention Liaison. Myself, the other staff members, and the board, worked so hard to make sure LEDCON was astonishing. Although we couldn't see it, we can feel it and be proud of the work we accomplished. Thank YOU all for letting this

Dillion Grisham Convention Liaison

mighty district live on and thank you for serving. I met so many of you throughout my term and it is honestly what kept me striving. Seeing yall’s positivity through this hard time is just one reminder why we are all leaders. Again, thank you so much for this year. Signing off for the last time..

Your Convention Liaison, Dillion Grisham

Hey T-O! I hope you’re all staying safe at this difficult time! I know we all want to be with our friends, but on the bright side, there’s so much that we’ve achieved together! My main goals this year were to: have 50% ontime dues, create a fundraising guide, and help more clubs receive the YOF grant. This year, we had 49.11% on-time dues, up from 46% last year! A huge thank you to all of you who worked hard to get your dues in on-time as this could not have happened without your individual efforts! I created an official fundraising guide detailing spirit night locations, competitive events, and food/items to sell. I really hope this helps all clubs reach their fundraising goals in the years to come. This can be found in my recent email update to club treasurers, or email me if you didn’t receive it! Last but not least, 11 clubs received the YOF grant this year! 12 clubs applied, meaning 91% of applicants received the grant! I can’t wait to see how you all impact your communities with your service projects! I am so thankful to

Katherine Chao District Treasurer

serve as District Treasurer of the mighty T-O district and I am so proud of every member, officer, and advisor for all their accomplishments this year.

Although I won’t be seeing everybody one last time at LEDCON, I am confident that we’ve all had a phenomenal year, and the service will continue long past this pandemic. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your District Treasurer this year and as always, please reach out if you need anything!

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NOTE FROM THE

DISTRICT GOVERNOR What is up TO? Can y’all believe this year is coming to an end? As y’all read this message, think about your first memory of Key Club, your first meeting, your first social and most importantly your first service event. We all joined Key Club because we found it meaningful to us.

Whether that was the leadership, the service, the inclusiveness or the service, we all made memories through these small things that bring us closer together.

Closer to our home, schools and communities. As y’all are transitioning to your new officer teams, reflect on to

what you accomplished throughout your time as a Key Clubber. The first member you recruited, the first interclub event you attended to the first district event. You impacted someone around you throughout your year. Each and everyone of you have impacted me through your dedication to service. Presidents, thank you all for leading such a great group of leaders and continuing to serve and being active within your home clubs. Vice Presidents, your communication with the president, other officers and the members was the glue that held your club together. It is because of leaders like you all that Key Club is one of the largest organizations.

So to TO, thank you for letting me lead y’all. Thank you for all your hard work to increase membership and thank you for all your hard work in participating in our challenges. Thank you for serving your home, school, and communities. And thank you for making an impact on me. Thank you for allowing me to be the District Governor for the best district in Key Club International. I’m beyond excited to see what the future holds for the mightiest district in Key Club International. TO, continue doing “whatever it takes” to lead, grow and serve.

As always, Together in service, Ashna Patel District Governor

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QUARANTINE

SERVICE PROJECT IDEAS 1. Make face masks at home and donate them to your local hospitals! Check Facebook for any sewing groups in your area to get in contact with, and research the proper healthcare mask guidelines before you get started.

2. Go out of your way to treat those who are fighting on the front lines. Writing a handwritten thank you note, creating a care package, and sending them lots of love will make a positive impact despite the stressful situation.

3. Get crafty! Since you are spending lots of time at home, use that time to knit socks and scarves for those in need. You can make tie blankets or even pet toys from old shirts. It is always a blessing to use your creativity to support others.

4. Spend your time teaching or reading to young kids.

Their parents likely have to deal with a lot during this time and may not be able to homeschool them fully. Reading to a child through Facetime will lead to grateful parents and a happy kid!

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COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Contests and Awards Committee CHAIR:

LTG

KAITLYN

ROEHR

D17

contests going digitally. Some things we have been focused on these last few weeks are promoting the various contests, finalizing our judging sheets, and organizing our plan of action for judging. Working closely with the GPR committee we have managed to spread the word about our contests to a larger audience which we are hoping will bring in more participation. Our Regional Melissa Greene has been amazing in helping set up our judging sheets, and I think our contest judging will go significantly smoother this year. Being the chair of this committee has truly been one of the greatest experiences I have had during high school because of my awesome committee members who work so hard and are always supporting each other.

Our Contest and Awards Committee

year like making our code considerably easier

couple months to get ready for all the

to understand, getting all of our motions to

contest tasks we will have to accomplish very

improve the awards passed, and moving

soon. Even though LEDCON is canceled, we

many contests to digital turn-ins.

are lucky enough to be able to keep some

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We have accomplished so much together this

has been working very hard these past

District Project Committee CHAIR:

LTG

MADISON

GREEN

D12

waste! We are still going to have a District Project Patch and Award applications. These applications will be due April 9th, so don’t forget to apply. If you have participated in Key Readers in any way throughout the year then I strongly encourage your club to apply even if you haven’t met all of the criteria.

Don’t forget to keep checking the T-O Instagram for more updates for the District Project and if you haven’t participated in the District Project Challenges that have already been posted then please do so! Thank you so much for all that you guys do and it has Hello T-O!! First off I just wanted to

been an amazing honor to serve as your

say that I am so disappointed that I won’t

2019-2020 District Project Committee

get to see all of you at our first LEDCON;

Chair.

however, I do understand that it is for the best. On the plus side, all your hard work on the District Project has not gone to

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COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Events Public Relations Committee CHAIR:

LTG

SHARLENE

GARCIA

D39S

term, there have been a few struggles, but in retrospect, none of it seems to matter as long as the T-O Board enjoyed the content created and got the word out! Throughout this year, we’ve been providing several promotional materials for Fall Rally (which if you can go next year, I highly recommend), and despite its cancellation, this year’s LEDCON! I’ve been very grateful to work alongside the members as well as Vivian, Lacey, and our Red Coats to help us along the way. It’s been a wild, yet amazing ride. With all good times made, this year has been better than good, and I cannot express Hey guys! Event Public Relations Chairwoman here on the last committee update with you all! So far, the term is coming to an end, and I’m so grateful for the experiences I got to hold with the board and its members! So far within the

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how much I appreciated it. I can’t wait to see what next year’s T-O board will produce!

General Public Relations Committee CHAIR:

LTG

CARA

WILTON

D24S

effects it has on both the district and school level; our social media has information on how the district is addressing these problems. As well, we welcome any questions sent to our social media. While LEDCON has been cancelled, most LEDCON contests and awards will still be happening.

Information about how these will work digitally is posted on our social media and will continue to be updated. Our committee is currently putting together different ideas on how to bring Key Club into your home, and continue to serve while also staying safe and healthy.Thank During this chaotic time, the General Public Relations committee has been working hard to communicate with our district through social media. We

you to our committee members- Ashna Patel, Vivian Thai, Lacey Thomas, Rujul Kulkarni, Alisha Arshad, and Linden Patterson.

understand there are a lot of questions and concerns about COVID-19 and the

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COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Governor's Project Committee CHAIR:

LTG

ELIE

LAM

D18S

Throughout the past year, we have promoted caring, unity, and inclusion. We created several C4C challenges and truly enjoyed seeing people participate in them. Even though this Governor’s Project will soon be completed, we want the caring aspect to live on in our homes, schools, and communities.

We are extremely sad that LEDCON was cancelled. However, we hope that clubs will still apply for the Governor’s Project Award, in which they get to showcase all the hard work they put into the project. We want to say thank you to Hello T-O! Your Governor’s Project Committee has been working to spread a Culture 4 Caring all across the district. As we close out our terms, we want to encourage Key Clubbers and others to maintain the Culture 4 Caring mindset.

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everyone who got involved in C4C over the past year. Each act of caring made an impact, no matter how big and we appreciate the hard work. Thank you T-O!

Kiwanis and International Relations Committee CHAIR:

LTG

HANNAH

VAUGHT

D40W

committee was brand new this year, we had some bumps in the road but we’re still able to move past them. First, we started by coming up with ways Key Clubbers could work closer with all of the K-family and ways that Key Clubbers could get into closer contact with international. We made an Instagram challenge so that clubbers could participate by working with other K-family members. I would like to say thank you to not only my committee, but everyone who’s worked hard this year to make Key Club what it is. Continue bettering your home, school, and community by working Kiwanis and International Relations worked diligently throughout the year to

with your Kiwanis, CKI, Builder’s Club, Kkids, and Aktion Club.

make sure our committee would be on the right track for the future. Since this

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COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Membership Committee CHAIR:

LTG

RAJ

PATEL

D3N

help our district rebound from the membership deficit that we had this year. As of right now, we are locating problem areas at the club level and working to find solutions that will benefit each club. We are trying to also isolate specific clubs that really struggled finding their membership groove this year and personally reaching out to them to find out what exactly went wrong and, more importantly, how to bounce back stronger than ever next year. We are also working to make the transition between this year’s and next year’s Membership Committee as smooth as possible, as there is no time to waste for the Membership Committee that tackles the membership deficit next year. We want to enable that committee to hit the ground Howdy TO! It really has been a

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running and hopefully see a positive uptick in

tumultuous couple of months for the

the member count next year. TO, COVID-19

international community, and I hope you are

may have knocked us down, but nothing in the

seeing this update from the safety and

world can keep us from bouncing back

sanctity of your own home! Your TO

stronger than ever. Stay safe TO, and let’s

Membership Committee has been working to

work together to #flattenthecurve!

Regulations, Elections, and Credentials Committee CHAIR:

LTG

DAVID

JEFFALONE

D18N

everything on pause. There will not be a House of Delegates this year, so you will all need to keep any amendments to the bylaws you had planned to propose till next year. As most of our committee work has been for convention lately, I am sad that a lot of it just will not happen, and I am sure that most of you are just as disappointed. This year, we helped create a framework for how the online campaigning for district office would work. I am hopeful that all the effort put into designing this will be useful for years to come. I would like to shout out all the members that worked so hard over this Hey TO, this is David your REC chair. The REC committee had really just been preparing for LEDCON at the beginning of the month, but due to the current global climate we have to put

year: Kazi, Desiree, Rujul, Myngoc, and Viranda. Without their work nothing on this committee would ever have been done. Please stay safe everyone and enjoy your time off.

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COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Welcoming Committee CHAIR:

LTG

PRANAV

GUPTA

D28

that played a great role in what we accomplished throughout this year. We also appreciate every single Key Clubber that hoped to come to LEDCON, as they provided us with the motivation to create an even better Welcoming Activity. Although we will not be able to celebrate this year with a DCON, we would still like y'all to know that all the work you Key Clubbers put in this year to serve your home, school, and communities was greatly appreciated. Know that the work this committee put in this year is not wasted and that the Texas-Oklahoma board will come back with an amazing LEDCON next year. Once again, thank you for everything that y'all accomplished this year and make sure to wash your hands!

Greeting Texas-Oklahoma Key Clubbers,

Sincerely, The Welcoming Committee

As you may have heard about by now, LEDCON has been canceled. Unfortunately, this also puts an end to all the work this committee has put in for the Welcoming Activity. We would like to thank the members, staff, and advisors,

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FAREWELL TO THE 2019-2020 DISTRICT BOARD*! *Staff is found on page 33.

Here's to the wonderful LTGs that have led our clubs across Texas Oklahoma! The persistence, dedication, and compassion these leaders have shown this past year make all T-O Key Clubbers proud. When you see your LTG on this page, please congratulate them on the amazing job they've done this chapter!

Katherine Bui Division 2S

Ellisiah Cagaoan Division 9E

Alisha Arshad Division 19

Viranda Kwok Division 25S/31

Rujul Kulkarni Division 3C

Samantha Sifuentes Division 10

Matthew Wells Division 20

Marlon Castillo Division 34

Rosie Park

Raj Patel

Division 3W

Division 3N

Madison Green

Alina Dam

Division 10/22

Division 13

Myngoc Nguyen Division 3S

Kaitlyn Roehr

Lorena Fonseca

Jennifer Nguyen

Division 1

Division 2N

Morgan Hollingsworth Kasandra Schroeder

Division 4/6

Division 8

David Jeffalone

Elie Lam

Division 7

Division 18N

Division 18S

Anna Ngo

Cara Wilton

Kazi Rabbe

Pranav Gupta

Desiree Rickett

Division 23

Division 24S

Division 25W

Division 28

Division 30

Marissa Ramos

Linden Patterson

Sharlene Garcia

Hannah Vaught

Macy Boren

Division 38

Division 39N

Division 39S

Division 40W

Division 40E

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A Day to R

JAZMIN MENJIVAR UPLIFT SUMMIT IN

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day that every school takes to remember and celebrate what he did for civil rights.

Many students prefer to take this day as one to rest and regenerate from everything going on at school. A few Key Club members decided instead of staying home to go help out at Mission Arlington.

They were holding their annual MLK Day of Service, where volunteers went to help out in different areas of Mission Arlington or were sent to go a specific house to clean up.

The Uplift Summit Key Club members were designated to help organize the boxes that were brought in from Toys for Tots. After getting their designated task, they waited with one of the coordinators, for the other volunteers that would help in that same area.

Waiting about fifteen minutes outside of the building all the other volunteers and even administration from Summit arrived making a total of over one hundred volunteers. All of them came from different areas, churches, other schools, and even UTA students.

Once everyone was outside, they were taken up the stairs to a place that was familiar to all the Key Club volunteers; the Christmas store. Walking around the Christmas store reminded

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them of all the hard-work done. This prepared them for the hard-work and effort that will be coming from the next task. Going to the very back where everything was stored there were mountains of boxes, stacked on top of each other. The boxes all weighed completely different with large quantities of toys inside of them.

The strategy they settled on using was an assembly line which began where the boxes were at and ended at their destination. The first person grabbed one of the boxes from the piled up boxes and

Remember

NTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY D39S

passed it along the line. This was done for every box that was there, from the heaviest to the lightest box, by having it transported person to person instead of one person walking from point A to point B it made the task go by quicker with more efficiency. All Key Club members weren’t positioned next to each other, meaning they would have to communicate with people they don’t know. This skill is useful for when they go out to the real world and have to approach people they don’t initially know.

By communicating with others how the plan was going to work out it helped have a better understanding for them, allowing

the avoidance of an possible problems

from happening. The strategies used came in handy all throughout the process, in around two hours all the volunteers managed to successfully move all the boxes that were held in the storage room.

After this, they went upstairs to the area where the boxes were taken to see all the hard-work they did.

This event was a brand new experience for the Key Club members, since most of them attended last year and cleaned up in a house that was chosen. This new experience helped them learn collaborative and communication skills with others.

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Thank You

BENNY LEGER CYPRESS R

I have been a part of the Key Club at our school for three years now. First as a member, and now as an officer. In all my time in the club, I have spent countless hours volunteering, attending general meetings, going to fundraisers, working on making events, and sitting in officer meetings. I have invested a lot of time in our Key Club, but why out of all the clubs I could have joined did I join Key Club?

Well to answer this, we need to go way back to the week before freshman year. I was walking through the crowded hall at freshman orientation where all the school’s clubs were lined up in booths along the wall. As I walked, all I could see and hear were intimidating people screaming at me to join their club. The clubs started blending together as I kept walking, each one screaming their own slogan. I started to wonder if the hall would ever end. Just as I thought this, a nice looking girl at one of the booths caught my attention and waved me over

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to a booth with a huge banner that said “Key Club” in big golden letters.

Wondering why this club wasn’t yelling like the others, I walked cautiously over to the girl. “Hi!!” She said shaking my hand, “How’s your day going?”

“A-a-alright,” I said nervously.

u Key Club

RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL D3N

“That’s good,” she said, “You should

what Key Club has given me in the past

consider joining Key Club. We’re a very

three years.

friendly club that goes out and volunteers to help the community. We’re really like a big family.” She handed me a pamphlet as I contemplated if I should join. “If

"All I can say is that I am glad to be a part

you’re interested please sign your name on this paper,” she said pointing at a paper. I figured that since this was the only club that wasn’t yelling at me, maybe they really were friendly. Plus helping my community is a good way to spend time.

After a second or two, I got in line to sign the paper. That was the moment that started this long journey. And to this day I have not regretted signing my name on that paper. The club was everything the

of this marvelous family of volunteers and that without Key Club, I don’t know where I would be at this point in my life."

girl said it would be and more. They were friendly, we volunteered, they were like a family and were happy to include me, and

So thank you Key Club.

they did more than just help the community. Key Club was a community in its self, and it helped me meet friends that were a good influence and helped me better myself. I am forever grateful for

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Gatorade AVERY

January brings with it a new year and the Houston Chevron Marathon. Shifts began in the cold, dark morning, and the event lasted multiple hours.

Stationed at mile 10.5 of the half marathon, I spent the better part of my Sunday morning lifting trash cans full of Gatorade and transporting the orange liquid into hundreds of tiny cups. The cold was numbing and turned our hands turned blue, contrasting nicely with the orange Gatorade, every time the wind blew, our neatly laid out cups would fly away, and by the end of it all, our hands were stickier than a McDonald’s Play Place, but seeing the multitude of cute little cups ready to be passed out was worth losing the ability to bend our fingers.

Most of the cups never stood a chance. At approximately 8:30 a.m. We stood near the curb, arms held out with tiny cups of Gatorade resting on our palms, ready to be snatched up. The first surge of runners ignored the Gatorade, too focused on running their race. Then came the second wave. As the first runner interested in having a drink approached, anticipation and tension grew. It was finally time- our hard work was going to be helpful.

We watched with sharp eyes, eager to send the tiny

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WANG

CINCO

RA

e Splashes NCH

HIGH

SCHOOL

D3W

cups off into the bigger world of the marathon. The closer the runner got, the more apparent the speed that they were traveling at became, and as they got closer and closer, we began to wonder how exactly this transaction would go. Squish. Within a fraction of a second, like a seagull swooping in to steal a fry from an unsuspecting tourist, the runner snatched a cup from a volunteer’s hand. Except, the cup was crushed in the runner’s hands, and most, if not all of the Gatorade had been squished right out of the cup and onto the volunteer’s hand. A few feet ahead, the bruised cup lay discarded on the otherwise pristine road.

To this day, none of us are sure if the runner even had anything left to drink in the cup after it had been annihilated. The fates of the rest of the cups were similar. Small, green carcasses littered the street, the remains of what were once sturdy paper cups. Gatorade dripped from our fingers and onto the road below, and perhaps if you kneeled and licked the asphalt, the taste of Orange Gatorade Thirst Quencher would linger on your tongue.

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Humans of Texas Oklahoma CHACE

MONCRIEF

MANSFIELD

The pages had somewhat of a

LAKE

RIDGE

HIGH

SCHOOL

D39S

The Southeast High School 1984 yearbook

yellow tinge to its edges, succumbing to

revealed a lot about my mom that I did

the slow degradation that is

not know. Page 76 describes her third

accompanied with age. Upon opening,

place award in the Manatee County

my nose is blissfully attacked by that old

Science Fair her sophomore year of high

book smell of vanilla and flowers. I

school. The front and back covers are

immediately flip to the index.

coated with notes of “stay in touch!” and

Adams, K.

signatures of football players, the

Nope, not who I’m looking for.

homecoming queen, and Miss Southeast

Anderson, R.

High. The index contains an extended list

No.

of pages her name or photo appears on

Baker, L

as well as the list of activities she

Barnes, A.

participated in: “French Club, 11th and

Berry, E.

12th grade. Student Council, 12th Grade.

Almost there!

NHS, 12th Grade. Key Club, 9th, 10th, 11th,

Castillo, J.

and 12th Grade. Dea-”

Camilla, O. So close!

Wait. I reread it. Again. And again. “Key Club, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade” I flip

Finally, I found it: “Cherry, R. (12th Grade): Pages 76, 112, 145...”

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to page 145.

experience, I see her experience relived through me: the club meetings in the library, the fundraiser for a local charity, the laughter amongst members. In my years within the club, I experienced compassion and joy that carries on the legacy my mom and her generation set forth.

I hope in 30 years time that my kids will have the opportunity to join the international family that connects members across generations. As Key Club has done for me, I envision a commitment to service that will stem from previous generations. Although my time in the club Key Club is the bridge, spanning 30 years, two separate millenniums, and state boundaries, that connects my mom’s high school experience to that of my own.

On page 145, my Key Club experience

only spans a short four years, a lifetime of service awaits in order to uphold the objects of Key Club International. And hey, you never know, my children will write a similar article come2050!

begins; although I was not a member of the club in 1984, the values of inclusiveness and leadership instilled in every Key Club member was instilled into my mom which would later be taught to me. In the black print that details her club

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LEDCON IS CANCELLED! ALL INFORMATION DERIVED FROM TOKEYCLUB.COM

REGISTRATION– Schools who have already paid registration fees will be refunded 100%.

Please send the desired check mailing instructions to Kelly Poland at kelly.poland@yahoo.com.

Those who paid by PayPal will not Following the CDC’s March 15 announcement encouraging all events/gatherings of 10 or more

receive the costs of the processing fees, only the registration fees.

be cancelled for the next 8 weeks, schools being closed and the concern of parents, the Texas-Oklahoma District Key Club has determined it to be most prudent to cancel our LEDCON.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT TOKEYCLUB.COM.

ALL INFORMATION DERIVED FROM KEYCLUB.ORG

Join us at the biggest event of the Key Club year!

We’ll celebrate the amazing things Key Club members do with students from all around the world.

You’ll also have the opportunity to Travel to and from International Convention with your district.

Share innovative service project and fundraising ideas.

Listen to amazing speakers.

Learn about service leadership.

Train for your leadership position.

Elect next year’s Key Club International Board.

Discover new charities and organizations you and your club can team up with.

Have fun and make memories that last a lifetime.

See the sites in San Francisco.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

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PARTNERS

Thirst Project hopes to educate the next generation by arming students with information about how they can be a part of social change, make a difference and encourage others to join in the effort.

Landscape Structures (LSI) has joined Kiwanis International as a vision partner to bring play to communities across the globe. LSI is proud to provide high-quality commercial playground equipment and planning consultation services that reflect the high degree of integrity that Kiwanis clubs expect.

Nickelodeon currently presents two major campaigns each year that encourage action in kids globally. Worldwide Day of Play reinforces Nickelodeon’s mission to make the world a more playful place by leading active, playful events across the country. Nickelodeon’s Get Dirty campaign seeks to educate kids, families and teachers about what they can do to help protect the planet in fun, mindful ways.

The U.S. Army empowers tomorrow’s leaders by offering advanced schooling for today’s top careers. Not only that, programs like the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) and March2Success.com allow students to go to college debt free and excel in the classroom with helpful academic resources.

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PARTNERS

Up with People strives to develop a sense of social responsibility in their Thirst Project hopes to educate the next generation by arming participants through hands on community service. Service projects are students with information about how they can be a part of integrated into each city visited during the semester. By volunteering to social change, make a difference and encourage others to meet the specific needs of each community, participants develop insight join in the effort. into how different cultures address social and political challenges.

Squads Abroad is a program of Cross-Cultural Solutions (CCS), the world's leading expert in international volunteering. Since 1995, CCS has empowered more than 35,000 volunteers to improve child health and educational outcomes around the world.

currently presents two major campaigns each year that Kiwanis Gives Online is powered Nickelodeon

by Access Development, a teamencourage action in kids globally.

Worldwide Day of Play reinforces friendly crowdfunding platform just for Key Club.

It specializes in helping Nickelodeon’s mission to make the world a more playful place by your club achieve its fundraising goals through a convenient turnkey, active, playful events across the country. Nickelodeon’s Get online fundraising service. Kiwanis leading Gives Online not only creates and Dirty campaign to educate kids, families and teachers about manages your entire campaign(s), but also provides seeks a reward to anyone what they can do to help protect the planet in fun, mindful ways. making a donation.

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PREFERRED CHARITIES & COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS Members work together by sponsoring fundraising events and conducting service projects at their local children's hospitals.

Contact your local CMN hospital and invite a representative to a club meeting to share ideas and create a partnership.

Since the 1940s, Key Clubs have worked with March of Dimes to make a positive impact in the lives of babies everywhere.

Today, Kiwanis members continue that culture of service by supporting the March of Dimes all year long by hosting service projects, raising funds and educating communities about the crisis of preterm birth.

UNICEF is the only organization of the United Nations dedicated exclusively to children. Working with other United Nations bodies, governments and non-governmental organizations, UNICEF helps to provide for children’s needs in more than 150 developing countries through community-based services in primary health care, basic education and safe water and sanitation.

K Corps is Kiwanis International’s youth exchange program for Key Clubbers. It’s a great opportunity to experience a unique culture, provide service, make lifelong friends, and see spectacular sights half a world away! Participants are hosted by Japanese families, and scholarship opportunities are available.

Project Happiness inspires and empowers club members to create greater happiness within themselves and their communities addressing the bullying issue at its core. The Key Club Guide to Project Happiness shares exercises, discussions, games and tools based on Neuroscience, Positive Psychology and Mindfulness to re-wire the brain for happiness. Why does happiness matter? Happier people enjoy life.

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CONTACTS DISTRICT

DISTRICT

GOVERNOR

SECRETARY

Ashna

Patel

Kareena

Patel

governor@tokeyclub.com

secretary@tokeyclub.com

DISTRICT

DISTRICT

TREASURER

EDITOR

Katherine

Chao

Vivian

Thai

treasurer@tokeyclub.com

editor@tokeyclub.com

CONVENTION

TECH

LIAISON

PRODUCER

Dillion

Grisham

Lacey

cl@tokeyclub.com

T-O DISTRICT

INTERNATIONAL

tokeyclub.com

keyclub.org

Texas-Oklahoma Key Club District

Thomas

techassistant@tokeyclub.com

Key Club International

@tokeyclub

@keyclubint

@tokeyclub

@keyclub

@tokeyclub

@keyclubint

ADMINISTRATORS Administrator Kenyon Black - Administrator@tokeyclub.com Assistant Administrator (Finances) Ryan Edmoundson - AAFinance@tokeyclub.com Assistant Administrator (District Events) Kelly Poland - AAEvents@tokeyclub.com

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THANK YOU FOR READING!

T E X A S

O K L A H O M A

D I S T R I C T

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K E Y

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