2019 September/October Tex-O-Key

S E P T E M B E R

&

O C T O B E R

2 0 1 9

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

8

O F

I S S U E 3

K E Y

C L U B

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

Cypress Ridge High School

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mansfield Legacy High School

FROM THE STAFF Note From The Editor

03

Message from the International Trustee

05

Updates from the District Staff

06

INFORMATION

Fall Rally!!

08

Spooky Service Ideas

09

A Word From Our Committees

10

District Project Ideas

19

How We Helped WeHelpTwo

20

Articles

22

San Angelo Central High School

INFORMATION

Major Emphasis Project

36

Contact Information

39 Mansfield Timberview High School

visit the t-o key club website at

TOKEYCLUB.COM

2

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Happy October, Texas-Oklahoma!

The past months have passed by so quickly! First and foremost, I would like to show you all the newsletter participation rate trend since April.

Check out the next page for the bar chart! Despite the lack of increase from May to July, look how far we've gone since April. I am beyond proud of y'all. Watching the names of new clubs pop up with newsletters and other submissions honestly make my month, every single month.

It may just be me, but I think the dramatic increase in the participation rate between July and August could be credited to the editor trainings! As some of you know, I hosted 2 editor trainings in August through Zoom and got to actually see your faces. Check out the next page for my first training during the school year.

IÂ hope you all enjoy this newsletter's content because it has some exciting things, like our impact on the lives of two very important people (with the help of WeHelpTwo) and some fall related service ideas.

Additionally, want to give you all a mini pep talk since school has started and the chaos has just begun.

Remember to put your health first, both physical and mental. Don't let work consume all your time because that will most likely make you unhappy and exhausted. STAY HYDRATED! You need to be able to take care of yourself before you find the time to serve others. Everyone knows the purpose of Key Club is to serve communities and help out those in need; However, if you are unwell or have other urgent matters, Key Club will wait for you.

As a junior, a lot of my Key Club friends are stressing out about PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP classes, IB classes, DC classes, and a plethora of other draining coursework. You have made it this far and you can keep on going. This all sounds incredibly cheesy but I believe we all need a reminder to take a step back and take a breath. We can do it, guys!

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

TEX-O-KEY OCTOBER FEEDBACK I promise I will take your feedback into consideration. For example, someone suggested more club articles on these newsletters so here we are with a couple more than last time!

Yours in Service,

Vivian Thai

3

MISCELLANEOUS

Riddle of the Month

What

do

you

get

drop a pumpkin?

when

Letter to the Editor

you Jadance Black (Elgin High School Key Club) asks: What advice can you share for editor's who are just starting off and have no idea what to do or use to make newsletters or articles?

First off, I would recommend them talk to the editor that preceded them. Someone with firsthand experience may be able to help them or train them.

If your LTG holds RTC, make use of them! Hopefully, the presentations at those meetings will help you out.

If those two suggestions are not options, then reach out to me! My remind code is @toedit (text this to 81010) and I will be happy to help with any questions.

My email is editor@tokeyclub.com and I can totally answer questions through email as well. Furthermore, make sure you know of your resources. For example, tokeyclub.com has a section called "Editor Resources" that contains all the rubrics that editors need. The June Tex-O-Key that I published on Issuu has a page on the duties of an editor. My YouTube channel has a few helpful videos as well.

4

INTERNATIONAL TRUSTEE UPDATE

Hi Texas-Oklahoma!

The International Board has been really busy these past weeks, and so have I when it comes to our sistricts. In this letter I will also include some important reminders and what’s to come next from the Key Club International Board.A new initiative that Key Club International has developed is the Trustee Independent Committee. This is a project or some form of community service is exclusive to each sistrict. After consulting with all of the Governors we have decided on a mental health project. This project is divided into three parts: Advocacy, Partnership, and Public Relations. I have been struggling to come up with a name so if you have any ideas please feel free to contact me.

The Youth Opportunities Fund (YOF) is an endowed fund of the Kiwanis Children’s Fund which provides grants to Key Club and Key Club members for scholarships and service opportunities. Do you have a really great service project in mind, but your club does not have all of the funds? The International Board wants to do everything we can to get you the money for the project so please, fill out the application.

As some of you may know, this year’s KCI Committees are Executive, Global Outreach, Public Relations, District and Member Resources, and International Opportunities. Each committee's report can be found using this link. Remember you can always contact the chairs for any input!

Key Clubbers share a special Halloween tradition… Trick or Treat for UNICEF. This has been a project to help raise money for Maternal-Neonatal Tetanus. For the month of October, Key Clubber try fill their TOT box with donations. Here’s the best part… the boxes are free! There are so many ways to get involved so please contact your Lieutenant Governor for more information.Please always remember that I am a resource for anything you may need so feel feel to contact me. Happy Spooky Season!

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

Yours in Service and Friendship, 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 TO! I am currently working on our LEDCON release video so be on the lookout for that after fall rally. Speaking of fall rally, don’t forget to register if you plan on attending! We will also be releasing a call to convention, dress code, and code of conduct video as LEDCON nears.

Website due dates are nearing so make sure that if your club has not made one yet to start now. It may be due November 15th but it does take time and it is worth it to have a chance of winning the distinguished website award. I will be releasing a graphic soon to remind you all and hope that everyone is having a great start of the school year!

Lacey Thomas Tech Producer

Hey sunshines! It’s your Convention Liaison, Dillion here. I hope the school year is treating you well; Junior year has been great so far. I want you ALL to come to Fall Rally to find out our theme, hang out with key clubbers from all over T-O, and to ride your service bodies off! I’m currently working on making our LEDCON welcoming activities the best! Your LTGs have already received their assigned forums and are perfecting their presentations so we can provide you with the best LEDCON. I can’t wait to see you all at our Conference.

Yours in service and friendship,

Dillion Grisham

Dillion Grisham

Convention Liaison

Happy fall everyone! In late August, I sent out my first update to all club treasurers with information on club treasurer duties, the Membership Update Center (MUC), and the YOF Grant. If you are a treasurer and you did not receive this email, or if your club doesn’t have a treasurer, please contact me and let me know as soon as possible! Recently, I’ve been finishing up the fundraising guide and promoting the YOF Grant as much as possible. As a reminder, the YOF Grant application is due soon on October 15 at 10:59pm CT, and your club should definitely apply if you

Kareena Patel District Secretary

haven’t already! In addition, the Membership Update Center is open! The early-bird dues deadline is November 1st and turning in your dues early will

Vivian Thai District Editor

earn your club extra points to become a top 25 club! Refer to my club treasurer update for my presentation on how to access and update the Membership Update Center. If you come across any problems with the

Katherine Chao

MUC or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

District Treasurer Yours in service, Katherine Chao

6

HE DISTRICT STAFF Hey mighty T-O!!

ASHNA PATEL

Hope everyone has been having a great school year so far!! Fall has

governor

started and brought mildly cooler weather with it! I am so ready for sweater weather! In these past couple of months, I have finished and published the newest edition to the Jolly Book of Wisdom that I had promised. This is a guidebook created for club secretaries that goes through all of the duties of a secretary and answers questions on how to be the best secretary, submit reports and many other things. The monthly report submission rate has been on an upward trend since May. This is a great achievement that I was able to achieve with the help of you guys reporting! I can not emphasize enough how important it is for clubs to report. Remember if your club doesn’t report then the district has no way to account for your club’s activities. It is never too late to start reporting! If your club currently does not submit reports, please reach out to me at secretary@tokeyclub.com to get started!! Thank you

Kareena Patel

for all your hard work, and keep up the service in your home, school,

District Secretary

and communities!

Yours in friendship and service, Kareena Patel District Secretary 2019-2020

What is up, T-O?

School has officially started! How were y'all's first meetings? I am super excited to see y'all at 2019 Fall Rally in Frontier City, Oklahoma! Personally, I am super excited to reveal the LEDCON theme! Don't forget to register before October 11th and I can't wait to see y'all! In October, I'll also be doing my Gov Tour! I'm super excited to see all of you there as well. With all of these events coming up, don't forget to inform LTGs about new officer information so that we can get that information to Key CLub International! As far as what I've done, I have worked on installing new LTGs for about 5 divisions. In addition, we sent out our first C4C challenge! I would like to personally send a thank you to all who participated. Other than that, feel free to contact me for any

Ashna Patel

questions and I look forward to meeting you all at Gov Tour and Fally

District Governor

Rally!

TOGether in service, Ashna Patel District Governor

7

FALL RALLY My apologies for the Fall Rally announcement on the previous TexO-Key! We have our location updated and there will be ONE Fall Rally for Texas-Oklahoma Key Clubbers this year!

PERKS OF GOING TO FALL RALLY! DCON theme reveal meet Key Clubbers from other divisions cute t-shirt with admission have a blast with your friends at Frontier City a.k.a club bonding!

8

Ask local churches if they need help decorating or Contact your local hospital

setting up for Halloween

This Thanksgiving, give to

and ask if they need

events. Some churches

those in need! With your club,

volunteers for any special

have Halloween

raise donations and put

Halloween events,

alternatives.

together warm Thanksgiving

especially for their younger

meals. Deliver these to the

patients!

homeless or others in need in

Reach out to your

your area,. Make sure you

nearest senior care

check with authorities and

and help them

stay safe before you take on

decorate or make fall

this project.

crafts with the seniors! This is a great way to brighten up

SPOOKY

their day and create a warm, environment this autumn.

In addition to giving the homeless food, you

SERVICE

can also give out socks and other necessities as the weather cools

IDEAS

down.

Host a clothing drive specifically targeted towards winter clothes, and donate them to a family shelter! With the weather getting chillier, people will appreciate warm clothes.

Send out thoughtful cards.

For those who may not be home during Thanksgiving, a handwritten and heartfelt card may cheer them up.

Sending cards to soldiers overseas is a great idea!

9

COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Contests and Awards Committee CHAIR:

LTG

KAITLYN

ROEHR

D17

presented at WINBO, the theme contest at LEDCON, and how to best promote the District/International contest to get the most club participation. We think it will be most effective to work closely with the GPR committee to do weekly contest posts on Instagram, including small summaries, registration guides, and Q&As. We are also working on sending out an email to all of the District Board on how to get the contests out there through newsletters, email, and club visits. The update will also include a list of all contests with simplified summaries for LTGs to refer back to when their clubs This month the Contests and Awards Committee is working on the final few contest revision ideas to be

10

have questions.

District Project Committee CHAIR:

LTG

MACY

BOREN

D403

project. I’m so glad that you guys are here and are working hard to improve your clubs. Your District Project committee is working hard on new ideas for you guys to get involved with Key Readers. Make sure you are watching the T-O instagram story and staying up to date with everything that is going on. New ideas on Key Readers will be posted on the instagram page soon!

Happy Fall T-O! I hope all of you are doing well and you are also participating in this awesome district

11

COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Events Public Relations Committee CHAIR:

LTG

SHARLENE

GARCIA

D39S

working hard to promote Fall Rally (which it is A BLAST). We’ve illustrated so much material for this event and October we’ll be dropping some videos and a ton of posts for it! Fall Rally is one of the biggest Key Club events you as a Key Clubber can be a part of! You can meet other members, LTGs, and the district staff with the same heart of service as you! Also, if you attend, you can be among the first to know what your Leadership and Education District Conference’s theme is going to be! That’s the big update for now, and we’ll see you there!

Hello hello!!! My name is Sharlene Garcia and I’m your chairwoman for Event Public Relations! My committee has been

12

General Public Relations Committee CHAIR:

LTG

CARA

WILTON

D24S

4 Caring challenge. We partnered with the governor's project committee to promote the first Culture 4 Caring challenge!! We were able to promote this challenge through the district Instagram, TOkeyclub. People who participated in the challenge and used the hashtag #keyclubc4c1 were recognized on our Instagram page. GPR will be posting these challenges monthly. Our second big project was promoting fall rally! We have been posting a series of highlights and feed posts to encourage clubs to register for fall rally.

This month, the general public relations committee has had two big projects! The first project was the Culture

13

COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Governor's Project Committee CHAIR:

LTG

ELIE

LAM

D18S

everyone to complete. For September, the challenge was to write a nice note to another student at school. We loved seeing pictures from across the district of people participating in this challenge. In the coming months, we would like to see that participation increase. We are also planning a service project to work on at Fall Rally, so stay tuned!

Hello T-O! The Governor’s Project Committee has been working on monthly challenges to be posted on Instagram for

14

Kiwanis and International Relations Committee CHAIR:

LTG

HANNAH

VAUGHT

40W

way we’re trying to succeed in this is by starting an every other month Instagram challenge. These challenges will be something super simple, for example, sending in a picture of you or your club going to a Kiwanis meeting. We’re also working on making a Google sheet with each LTG of Kiwanis with the Key Club LTG next to them for easier access to their information to help bridge the gap between organizations.

Kiwanis and International Relations is working on building closer ties with not just Kiwanis, but the entire K-family. One

15

COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Membership Committee CHAIR:

LTG

RAJ

PATEL

D3N

to send out to clubs before the middle of October. We want you all to find success within your clubs to the greatest extent possible, and the best way to do this is to get NEW MEMBERS! Our guides will be really effective in helping you all recruit new members, and we want to ensure that we are doing everything we can to help you both recruit and retain members. Make sure you're reaching out to people at lunch, your friends, and at local businesses to push the idea of key club for them. Change in our communities starts with our drive to succeed, and we must make sure that every person in our Hey TO! Your membership

16

schools have heard of, considered, and

committee has been working as hard as

hopefully joined Key Club! Be on

ever to provide quality recruitment

the lookout for our guides to be out soon,

resources for you all! This month , we have

and let's get out there and recruit some

been working on PowerPoints and guides

new members!!

Regulations, Elections, and Credentials Committee CHAIR:

LTG

KAZI

RABBE

D25W

prominent changes is changing all references of DCON to LEDCON (Yes, it will take time to get adjusted to but it will always be DCON in my heart). We’ve also been talking about the alteration of some district committees such as allowing club members to serve on them as well! We’re also working on making a feedback form for members to fill out in order to ensure that our Bylaws reflect the needs of everyone! Thanks for reading this update!

I’m looking forward to seeing these changes and all of the hard work of our committee come to fruition!

So far the REC committee has been focusing on revising the Bylaws after the changes we made at the Summer Board Meeting! One of the more

17

COMMITTEE UPDATE!

Welcoming Committee CHAIR:

LTG

PRANAV

GUPTA

D28

all of our Key Clubbers can feel welcome to enjoy and celebrate their year of service. As of now, our committee has composed a collection of activities that we feel acclimate well with the theme.

Amongst these, we are finding the budget for these activities and determining what of those fit best with our celebration of this year. Soon, we will be finalizing these activities so that we can be ready for a great Welcoming Activity. We hope you will join us at the end of this Key Club year to celebrate the accomplishments of our Texas-Oklahoma Key Club community.

Thank you.

Greetings all T-O Key Clubbers, Sincerely, As the Welcoming Committee, our main goal is to create an environment in which

18

The Welcoming Committee

DISTRICT PROJECT IDEAS COURTESY OF LTG KASANDRA SCHROEDER DIVISION 8 The Texas-Oklahoma Key Club District Project KEY Readers. Here are some ideas (same as the previous Tex-O-Key) that you can utilize to participate in the District Project!

Shelve books at your local library.

Join the library's teen advisory board where teens help plan or volunteer at events.

Host a book drive and suggest students bring a used or new book.

Stock books at your Kiwanis's Little Library if they have one.

If not, suggest building one!

Talk to local elementary or middle schools about reading to their students.

You can even plan a weekly or biweekly time so that your club can regularly visit the schools.

Have a pen-pal relationship with elementary or middle school students where you talk about books!

Start a book club.

Compile a list of books to read and students can vote on a book to read each week.

Encourage students to participate in reading challenges, such as the summer reading challenges at your local library!

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HOW WE HEL

FEATURING: Cyril from Kenya

Cancer is a bad word, no matter where you live. In the U.S. we can hope, even expect that a tumor will be removed, and cancer neutralized, but in Kenya, not so. 27-year-old Cyril, was diagnosed with a transfemoral tumor in 2012. It was removed, but the doctor took the rest of his leg as well.

With a family to support and no way to work, Cyril became depressed. His body survived cancer, but his dreams did not.

That is when We Help Two and its partner clinic became a part of Cyril’s story. They provided a new leg and the training to use it. He is now on working again and happy to be supporting his young family.

20

HOW PED

WE HELPED

FEATURING: Ali Muhammad from India

Badipora is a town in Kashmir. It sets on the famous Silk Road which connects Europe to Asia. It was travelled by silk merchants for centuries. 62-year-old. Ali Muhammad lives in Badipora but he doesn’t travel anywhere. His leg had to be amputated because it was crushed in a road trac accident. He sits – all day – every day – and watches the rest of the world pass him by on the bustling Silk Road.

BUT because of the Hope Disability Centre and We Help Two he was given a new prosthetic leg. He already has got the hang of it and plans to use his new mobility to continue working to support his family.

21

Child's Play JANET

SUAREZ

UPLIFT

SUMMER

INTERNATIONAL

We observe, sprawled on the grass

PREPARATORY

D39S

Inside the George W. Hawkes

with the midsummer heat beating on our

library, volunteers ran crafting stations for

necks. Another stranger’s laughter roars

kids to make paper crowns and

to a crescendo. Merriness among all in

bookmarks. After wiping down tables, we

this pocket of life in town. One would be

adorned them with glue sticks, colors,

surprised to find out we were actually

white paper, and decorative sparkly foam

working—during vacation, no less. But

paper cutouts. Kids intermittently visited

Uplift Summit Key Club doesn’t stop for

the stations, only to be welcomed and

the summer. On July 3rd, club members

ushered by volunteers. Once plopping

volunteered at Light Up Arlington: the

down in any empty seat, they could color

annual Independence Day celebration in

to their hearts’ content. At some point,

downtown Arlington. Festivities lasted

someone opened the door and a gust of

from 3 to 9 p.m.

wind blew the pieces of foam paper across the floor. Members scrambled to

22

clean the little pieces up, ensuring to never let the incident happen again.

Another built a ship. Others balanced on the cylinder blocks like gymnasts, and some dueled each other like swordsman.

Eventually, members were instructed to help with the imagination

There certainly was no shortage of creative talent among them.

playground just outside. This play area was constructed entirely by children using

Soon enough, Key Clubbers signed

only blue foam blocks. Volunteers were to

out for the night, but the fun wasn’t over.

ensure that all blocks remain in the

Right next to the library was a neon

designated area, but mostly, it was the

bubble bus. We joined the mass of people

perfect excuse to enjoy the free

taking photos and videos, enjoying every

festivities. Live performers sang on stage

minute of it. In retrospect, there was

just a few feet away from us—the music

nothing special about it. It is childish,

intermixed with the smell of food in the

really, to have an unwavering fascination

air. A sight to see. I remember seeing him

with something so simple and seemingly

out of the corner of my eye; a young boy

meaningless, but there we were. The tiny

walked away clutching a bright blue

spheres floated in the air, glistened in the

mass: a block from the playground. I

disappearing sun—had we ever seen so

shuffled to him, asking him to return it. He

many? Perhaps. But perhaps it was being

must have gotten carried away in the

a part of something grand. That night, the

excitement of it all; really, all the kids did.

community vibrated together. Another

One of them built a car out of the blocks.

successful Key Club event.

23

The Chronicles of My Key Club Journey BRIAN

LEE

CYPRESS

RIDGE

HIGH

As I embark on my third and final

SCHOOL

D3N

kicked out, I decided to rejoin the club in

year in Key Club, I think that it’s important

my sophomore year with a new motivation

to reminisce and remind myself of all the

to redeem myself. During my freshman

memories, the good and the bad, that

year, I had the mentality of volunteering

amalgamate to form the beautiful mosaic

being a chore and a waste of time that I

that is my Key Club experience and

could be using to do homework or catch

ultimately, a large chunk of my high

up on Netflix. However, after finally

school experience as well. If I’m being

attending a few events, I found my

completely frank, my introduction into the

community of peers that I felt

world of Key Club was no smooth one; in

comfortable around and made

fact, I was a fairly inactive member. In my

volunteering enjoyable. Soon enough, I

freshman year, I probably attended two

found myself getting excited to volunteer

meetings in the entire school year and

every weekend alongside my newfound

went to absolutely no events, resulting in

friends. My sophomore year was also the

me being swiftly kicked out at the end of

year that Hurricane Harvey devastated

the fall semester. It took me the entire

the Houston area. I vividly remember that

spring semester to get over this bitter

at the first meeting of the year, President

taste in my mouth that being booted out

Brandon Kang mentioned that through Key

left.

Club we could work together to create a direct impact on Hurricane Harvey victims.

However, after coming to accept

that it was ultimately my fault for being

24

As someone whose house got flooded and was living at their grandma’s house

Finally, socials benefit our club by

that by recording all the hours, making

bringing together our community. They

the minutes, and submitting the monthly

provide a space for a large group of

reports that I was helping put Cypress

students who all share a love for service

Ridge on the map as a school that can

to get together and celebrate their

compete with the prestigious. Being on

changes to the world. Icebreakers,

the officer board and working alongside

games, and awards are all ways for

such passionate souls motivated me to

members to get to know each other and

better serve my community and reminded

support our successes. This is the main

me of why I continue to volunteer through

reason why not only our Key Club, but

Key Club. As my last year in high school begins, I will never forget to utilize my

My junior year in Key Club was by

past experiences of service to better the

far my most fun. As secretary, I really felt

entire club’s volunteering experience to

a strong sense of community between my

ensure that they find their own passion for

local Key Club and the district and felt

service.

25

Finding the Key to Ov MARIYAM

Cy Falls Key Club witnessed a busy month in July. From coming up with event ideas for community service projects, to organizing social events, coordinating with the officers to take charge of the events, forming a plan to effectively carry out the events, and updating the agenda to keep the members well informed, this month was one heck of a ride for several reasons.

It was only due to proper communication among the officers and the sponsor and collective team effort of distributing the tasks efficiently, Cy Falls Key Club was successful in overcoming these obstacles.

Our first problem over the summer was organizing a meeting where the officers could discuss Key Club community project ideas and social events, talk about how we can achieve Key Club’s goals in the upcoming school year, and plan our Key Club booth at the freshman orientation at our campus. To receive our officers’ feedback on these issues and arrive with a plan that will address all these topics, we decided to have an officer meeting. But, little did we know that all of us had conflicting schedules such as summer school, summer vacation, internship and work hours, family events, athletics, band practice, no means of transportation, etc. due to which we could not decide when and where to meet with all the officers present at the meeting. To overcome this obstacle, and to ensure that all the officers could attend the meeting we decided

26

KAZIM

CYPRESS

FA

vercoming Obstacles

ALLS

HIGH

SCHOOL

D3N

to have a video conference on the Zoom app at a time which was convenient for most of us. This solution solved the problem and we were able to discuss future Key Club plans and how we can effectively implement our ideas to ensure our club’s success.

For the officers that were unable to attend the meeting, we made sure that we recorded the minutes at the meeting so that we could share the information discussed to them. By doing so, this helped us ensure that we all were on the same page.

In addition to that, we were faced with situations where some officers could not attend the events and keep track of members who attended the events, so to resolve that problem, members were advised to upload a picture of themselves at the event and email it to our official Key Club email.

Despite all of the challenges we have encountered this summer, we were able to overcome it with effective communication and collective group effort. What makes Key Club special is the officers’ initiative to step up, take charge, and no matter how severe the problem is, we always manage to come up with a solution that will not only address the problem but will also ensure that the club is running smoothly and meeting its goals.

27

Alex's Lemon KIANA

Since the beginning of summer our club has been looking for more ways to get involved and broaden our impact and cooperation with other organizations and schools, so we decided to join with the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is a foundation dedicated to fighting childhood cancer by raising money through a lemonade stand. There are many ways one can choose to participate in the fight for this cause. The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation allows you to work together with friends, family, and peers to raise awareness, money, and spirits!

This summer the Summit High School Key Club got together to join the fight. From July 11th to 13th, we stood outside in front of a large strip mall in Mansfield and offered free lemonade to shoppers. We advertised by posting digital fliers on several social media platforms and by holding up posters explaining the cause and what we offer.

For those who didn’t have cash on them but wanted to give we we had a QR code ready so that they could readily give

28

BUSTO

MANSFIELD

H

nade Stand

HIGH

SCHOOL

D39S

online. Although the lemonade was free everybody that got lemonade donated whatever they could. People donated that didn’t want lemonade, people drove up to us, handed us money and drove off, people donated and stayed to enjoy a fresh cup of lemonade and a conversation with us. On the second day the driver of a large delivery truck stopped in the middle of the road just to give some money! I was astounded by the number of people who were willing to give when you give them a chance to. In the end, the hours in the heat became worth it because excellent results were produced. On the first day about $260 was collected. On the second day that number shot up to a little over $600 and on the third day not only did we reach our goal of $1200 but we surpassed it making a total of $1330!

Through ALSF we were able to connect with other people, raise money and help further develop childhood cancer research. Overall I am very thankful for the opportunity to join the fight and all the experiences gained. And to think, this was all possible thanks to a determined little girl and a lemonade stand!

29

Learning the Important Things BIANCA

HETTIARACHCHI

JAMES

Key Club gives students the

TAYLOR

HIGH

SCHOOL

D3W

This past May, our officer team

opportunity to learn and grow in

prepared for the annual event with the

personality and mentality over the course

same vivaciousness and excitedness as

of the school year. It especially builds the

we always do and I was hit with a massive

character of the officer team, as each

wave of responsibility. It’d been the first

individual student works on adjusting into

event I’d ever had to participate in

taking on new leadership roles and

facilitating, and I’d never realized how

responsibilities. Earlier this year, I was

much preparation and planning went into

able to fully come to an understanding of

making these events happen.

what Key Club means to me and how much self-management I need to have in

I’d been thrust into a position of

order to continue with my position in the

selling tickets, making flyers, designing

team.

posters, interacting with others, promoting events, and so much more. I Every year our club hosts an event

by the name of “Paws and Relax”, in

forgot to do something? How would I be

which we bring puppies from the Fort

able to balance school and the role I play

Bend Animal Shelter and allow students

in this organization? What if I wasn’t able

to sit down and play with them after

to keep up with my responsibilities and

school as a means of de-stressing before

end up disappointing the team?

spring finals and AP exams.

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was both terrified and excited. What if I

All these doubts swam in my mind,

In the end, we weren’t able to host

but fortunately I had no time to think

the event due to weather complications,

about any of them due to how fast paced

but nevertheless, I enjoyed every second

the event needed to be planned. There

that went into planning and seeing the

was absolutely no time to sit and stress

event develop. Not only was I able to

about all that had to be done. I simply

grow closer to the officers, but I was able

had to suck it up and do my very best.

to learn more about what a historian does and how they contribute to an officer

Turns out, I was worrying for no

team. The event brought a new meaning

reason! I’d been more than capable of

to Key Club, and it stands as one of the

contributing to the team, and most

main reasons I’m beyond thrilled for the

importantly - I loved it. I’d been reminded

coming school year and the memories

of what Key Club meant to me and how

and experiences that will come with it.

excited I was to be an officer this coming year.

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Tik Tok and Key Club MATTHEW

NGUYEN

CYPRESS

RIDGE

Tik Tok is a social media monster

HIGH

SCHOOL

D3N

Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat, was

with over a million users globally, that

unique to our Key Club and brought in a

bases their content on short clips with

large number of new members into the

overlaying sound. Tik Tok has been a large

growing Cypress Ridge Key Club family.

part of social media in the last few months and apart of this This may not

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Tik Tok has also been a large part in

seem to initially closely tie to Key Club. As

bringing the clubs within our division

Public Relations officer of the Cypress

together along with the workers of the

Ridge Key Club, I chose to use the app to

Houston Food Bank. The aspect of a

reach out to other high schoolers about

newly created app bringing together two

Key Club through “Tik Toks”. I attempted

generations, that are usually pitted

to recreate viral videos to reach out to

against each other is a new concept to

incoming freshman through the use of a

take in and revolutionary in thought. The

comedic "Tik Tok” with the audio

explanation of a Tik Tok and the concept

“Obsessed” by Mariah Carrey. Through

of it, fascinated the older gentleman

this video, I garnered laughs but also

directing my group during Houston Food

interest in Key Club. This year at freshman

Bank. His genuine excitement to film

orientation, my Tik Tok was able to bring

something with us and post it for the

ninety-five incoming freshman into the

world to see made the effort and work I

Key Club booth and giving us their

put forth into the role of Public Relations

contact information. The use of social

for my Key Club, focusing on the Website

media in a non-traditional format, like

and Social Media pages.

Tik Tok’s boom in popularity and its

This concept and sight is what I get to

ability to capture the attention of multiple

witness through my job as Public

generation over a simple concept of a

Relations, where even Key Club alumni

short video with audio playing over to

reach out to me and compliment the

portray many different forms of

social media pages. These interactions

entertainment, ranging from Comedy to

between former and present peers and

Dance to Art, is truly a sight to behold

even different generations makes

and an example of how technology and

everything I do worth it. Follow us on Tik

social media in a non-generic form can

Tok! @CRHS_Keyclub

be used to bring people together.

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Humans of Texas-Oklahoma (HOTO) KATELYN

PASIERB

MANSFIELD

LEGACY

HIGH

SCHOOL

D39S

Every person has a story. Whether it’s a dark tale of a triumphant victory or a dynamic story of a happy ending, every person must come to terms with the demons and achievements that occur throughout this crazy journey we call “life”. For me, my life has never been a cakewalk. Because I was hospitalized for over 6 months to treat my medical condition, I was forced to drop a grade as I had missed too much school already.

In doing so, my life completely changed.

All of my friends left, making the poor excuse of “it’s just not right anymore.” The one friend I made in the hospital died due to complications in surgery. My family

make friends, worrying they would only

could only visit every once in a while as

turn around and leave me in one way or

they had to work and attend school

another. As I traveled down the never-

themselves. My condition only slowly

ending hallways, terror pumping through

improved, forcing me to stay longer than I

my veins, I passed a room with an open

had ever wanted. Essentially, I had hit

door labeled “Key Club Meeting Here!”. At

rock bottom.

the time, like many others, I had assumed

When I finally came back to school,

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it was a group of teenagers who oddly

I had no friends, no place to go, and no

liked to make keys together. I slowly

one to ask for help. I was too scared to

entered the room, terrified I was doing

the wrong thing and would be kicked out.

plays a part in who we are. Key Club is

Immediately, I was surrounded by a few

the home where love resides, where

key clubbers welcoming me to the first

memories are created, and where

meeting of the year. For the first time in a

laughter never ends.

very, very long time, I felt genuinely welcomed. I felt like I could call this place my home.

To define my Key Club experience over the past four years would easily be a huge injustice. Words cannot

For the past four years of my high

measure the true passion and

school experience, I have never seen us

appreciation I feel towards Key Club. It

key clubbers as friends. We are not

gave me a home when I had none. It

friends who casually see one another

offered me the best friends I could ever

when we either need or want something.

ask for. It even gave me the opportunity

In Key Club, we are a family. A family of

to give back to those who had hit rock

crazy aunts, long-lost cousins, favorite

bottom. Therefore, quantifiably, Key Club

uncles, and loving relatives. Each of us

could never be measured in my book. The

carries baggage that we must deal with,

good it serves, the drive it creates, and

but somehow, we all deal with it together.

the love it sparks all come together to

We see Key Club as our home. Not the

create an immeasurable good to the

traditional four walls, fancy door, and

world around us. Key Club demonstrates

patterned windows style. Key Club is the

to all those that your story does not

metaphorical home that hosts family

define who you are. It is what you do with

reunions where us strangers come

that story that determines who you will

together on a weekly basis and catch up,

be.

a time where that baggage no longer

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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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