Parsippany Hills High School’s
SPECIAL EDITION:
CLUB ELECTIONS
Note from the
Index of
Editors
Candidates:
Hello PHHS Key Clubbers!
33
Within these pages you’ll find personal statements from each of the candidates who will be running for office on Tuesday, January 31st. During that meeting, you’ll be able to listen as each of the candidates answer a randomly chosen question, and afterwards you will cast your vote. Before then, however, be sure to read through each of their platforms here carefully to get familiar with your fellow Key Clubbers who just might become your 2017-2018 officers! We are so excited to hear from all our potential officers and welcome them into Key Club leadership life!
Karoline Xiong 4
Vice-President Vishal Mansuria
5
Treasurer
William Yang, Tara Kakkaramadam, Maya Patel
67 Corresponding Secretary Tanvi Chopra, Crystal Tran
78 Recording Secretary
Kaitlin Cirillo, Richard Laforteza
99 Editor Juliana Urbis, Alison Christian,
Yours in Caring and Service, Tara Srinivasan and Shreya Nair
Cindy Lam, Vrinda Jain 12
Good luck to all the candidates!
President
Historian Amy Yang, Brandon Sung, Megha Mansuria
President Candidate Karoline Xiong Hey everyone! I’m Karoline Xiong and I’m running for President of Key Club for the 2017-2018 school year. I believe there are three qualities that characterize any good president or leader: experience, leadership, and passion. First: experience. Three years ago, I joined Key Club without the slightest clue what this club really did or stood for. I was curious and simply just followed the crowd into D-25. Three years later, here I am, serving as your current Vice President. Running for club office as a freshman was one of the best decisions I could have made. As your past club historian and your current vice president, I have truly come to appreciate and admire the work that key club members do and the smiles we bring to our community. Key club gave me the opportunity to meet extraordinary people, hear incredible stories, and most of all gave me the pleasure of serving a community that means so much to me. Second: leadership. Key Club gave me the opportunity to develop leadership skills through serving as club officer and also through its many regional training conferences and workshops. I’ve gained the confidence and character skills needed to be co-captain of the girls tennis team and a mentor for TGA. Experiences like these have instilled confidence, patience, and leadership in me. Third and what I believe to be most important: passion. My inspiration comes from a quote by Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” I see volunteerism as my way of following through with his words. I dedicate a lot of my time towards helping my community through volunteering at the community library, TGA, and at events like Halloween at the Hills and Dinner Theater. I’ve had so much fun helping out with Key Club projects and events and I hope to spread that joy to all Key Clubbers!
Other Activities: FBLA · Science Olympiad · TGA tennis coach · Library volunteer · Captain of tennis team · Key Club (Historian 2015-16, Vice President 2016-17)
3
Vice-President Candidate Vishal Mansuria
Hello Key Clubbers! I am Vishal Mansuria and I am running to be your Vice President for the following service year of 2017-2018. Taking on the role of the Vice President is not an easy task, but I’m here to tell you that I will be able to take on the challenges and make the following year as fun and easy as possible. I joined Key Club my freshman year knowing that it was one step closer to helping the community than Builders Club in middle school. I held a position in Builders Club and knew that Key Club was more serious than just doing service projects around the school. I love to help others and love making a difference in the world. I have gained a lot of experience from the previous years of being the Treasurer. I am ready to take on the President’s role when needed. For the past three years now, I am one of the few to have most hours out of any other Key Clubber in my grade. I will ensure that the club monthly reports are completed and submitted on time and that the attendance is taken for every meeting. I will manage the club website as well and will update it often. Thank you.
Other Activities: Key Club Treasurer (2015-16, 2016-17) · FBLA · DECA · Wind Ensemble · Marching Band · Pit Band
4
Treasurer Candidates Chintan Bhavsar
Hello Key Clubbers! I am Chintan Bhavsar and I am running to be your Treasurer for the following service year. Once I heard of Key Club my freshman year, I immediately joined because of its ability to help the community. My personality reflects the ideals of community service and I felt that Key Club utilizes my abilities to the fullest. I constantly try to help Key Club, not because of the volunteer hours, but because I honestly love supporting the community. I feel that treasurer is an excellent position for me because I have experience working with money. I truly love dealing with math and numbers, and I know I can apply these skills into my responsibilities as treasurer. Also, as treasurer, I will make sure I am up to date with all of my tasks of handling membership dues, fundraising money, keeping precise financial records, deposits, and preparing the final budget at the end of the year. If I am elected as your treasurer I will put Key Club as one of my biggest priorities, and so, I can definitely promise that the club will prosper and grow even more. I am currently involved in Marching Band, FBLA, Library Pages, Track and Field, and I am enrolled in Wind Ensemble.
William Yang
Throughout all three years of high school, Key Club has provided me with invaluable opportunities to serve and give back to the community. I remember that I joined Key Club as a freshmen, knowing not what the club had to offer, but only that I loved to volunteer and help others. Since then, I have been an active and committed member of Key Club, and I hope to have the opportunity to give back to the organization as your next Treasurer. Having taken Honors Accounting, AP Econ, and AP Calc, I know how to keep track of numbers and handle money. However, I believe that I am qualified for the position not because of any abilities or skills, but because of my passion for service and commitment to the club. Together, I believe that our efforts will add up to make a difference in our school and our community.
Other Activities: Cross Country Captain 路 Math Team Captain 路 Students in Action 路 Songbird Volunteer Group 路 NNJCACS Volunteer
5
Tara Kakkaramadam
Hi, my name is Tara Kakkaramadam, and I would like to be your Treasurer! To be honest, when I think back to when I first joined Key Club, I can recall a vague excitement. If you asked me why I went to the first meeting, I could tell you that it was probably to seek new ways to give back to my community, but that would be the best I could do, because the truth is, I don't even remember the exact reason that led me to join Key Club; what sticks with me today is why I stayed, and that was to help. In the past year and a half, I have been grateful to Key Club for helping people and giving us an opportunity to help them accomplish that, help them bring more meals for the hungry with the food drives, give more enjoyment to our local senior citizens with the annual Dinner Theater, and increase its impact as a service organization. Now, I want to use my skills to help our Key Club help the community on a more administrative level as a part of your Executive Board. As your Treasurer, I can utilize my affinity for mathematics and experience in reconciling financial records for my family’s business to maintain Key Club’s own financial records as well as my planning skills and prudence to create and adhere to the annual budget. As your Treasurer, I promise to honor the position and the responsibilities it carries to the best of my ability and that everything I will do will be in service to our Key Club. Aside from Key Club, I am involved in Academic Decathlon, Science Olympiad, the Junior State of America, Spanish Honor Society, and Students in Action.
Maya Patel
When I decided to join Key Club, I knew that it would be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I attended District Convention last year and my passion for service immediately began to grow. It is unbelieveable to be part of the impact that key clubbers have on the world. My experiences thus far in key club have encouraged me to run for treasurer. I would be the best fit for the position because I have been taking honors level math since it has been offered. Through being a class officer for the past three years, I have been given responsibilities such as being in charge of fundraisers, publicizing events, and I have learned to value organization. As a karate instructor, I developed public speaking skills and I learned to enjoy working in groups. I feel that I am a well rounded candidate because I have attended Key Club events such as DCON, Fall Rally, and RTCs, so I have gained a first hand look on what it is like to be on the executive board and what is expected of me as a board member. If elected, I would make key club my priority and make myself available for all meetings and collection dates. I would love the opportunity to serve as your Key Club treasurer in the upcoming service year.
Other Activities: Junior Class Vice President Girl · Up Vice President · Spanish Honors Society · Students in Action · Winter Track & Field · Tang Soo Do (Martial Arts) Instructor
6
Corresponding Secretary Candidates Tanvi Chopra
Hello fellow peers! My name is Tanvi Chopra and I am a junior running for Key Club’s Corresponding Secretary. I have been actively involved in this organization for two years now, and I believe that through this club, I have gained the ability to grow and become a better version of myself by participating in services to help those in need. Key Club’s main initiative is solely to make a difference in others’ lives. I joined this club during the beginning of my sophomore year to do just that! I have participated in many volunteering activities associated with Key Club such as, creating CSH cards, participating in food drives, helping out at Halloween at the Hills, pairing up with members from Kiwanis at the Parsippany Street Fair, attending Fall Rally and much more! I think I would be a great fit for this position because I am profoundly passionate towards Key Club’s motive! I take pride in helping others and I plan to continue to make a substantial impact on our community! In addition, I feel as if I meet the requisite of being a board member because I have exceptional leadership skills that enable me to succeed in whatever it is I am doing. I am dedicated, organized, and I always look to improve. Being elected as a board member would be an remarkable opportunity to expand and ameliorate my skills. Thank you and I hope to represent Parsippany Hills’ Key Club next year!
Other Activities: I participate in include basketball, IHS, and fashion club. In basketball, my position is a guard. I take control of the team and hope to lead them to success. A guard is responsible for communicating with their teammates and making sure no one gives up. In other words, my position is analogous to a quarterback’s role.
Crystal Tran
Greetings, key clubbers! My name is Crystal Tran and I am rerunning for corresponding secretary for the next service year. As this is the position that I currently hold, I am the obvious candidate for this office as I have experienced and am used to the responsibilities for this position, making me the most qualified. During my time in office, I have been organized, diligent, and collaborative with my fellow officers, so you should expect nothing less from me if elected. I am a very good listener and an orderly person, so my minutes are always accurate and detailed, and I am very sociable, 7
so I do not mind talking and reaching out to others. As I am also not involved with many other extracurriculars, my Key Club duties will always be top priority! I am a devoted Key Clubber- as a matter of fact, this is my 8th year being involved with Kiwanis. In these 8 years of service, I have never missed a meeting, with the exception of two or three instances. I am so involved because I love that this club has offered students a platform to give back to the community that has provided so much for them, and I would love to help the organization to the best of my ability by continuing to be corresponding secretary. Please vote for me, as I promise to spread my devotion to service to all of you!
Other Activities: Dance (Wednesdays and Thursdays) · JSA (every other Wednesday) · PLAC · IHS · Parsippany Animal Shelter volunteer
Recording Secretary Candidates Kaitlin Cirillo
Hi everyone! I am Kaitlin Cirillo and I would love to be YOUR Recording Secretary next year. I emphasize the word, “YOUR” because I strongly believe in working as a team. As for my personal qualifications, I feel as though I am the perfect person for the position because I am a very organized and diligent person. I know how to prioritize and will definitely put Key Club first. My experience of being part of the Cross Country Team and Future Physicians and Nurses Club has contributed to my goal setting and team approach. My past and present leadership experience of being a Homeroom Rep, Community Service Chair, and Leadership Chair demonstrate my ability to take on a leadership role in Key Club. I originally joined Key Club because of my cousin. She introduced it to me last year when she became Lieutenant Governor of Division 21. I joined Key Club to help give back and be involved in community service with others, and so far it has been an amazing experience. I know I would be a great Recording Secretary because I am dedicated to Key Club and will put 110% effort into everything I do. I am sure there are others who may be qualified for the position but what sets me apart is my desire and my team approach to reaching goals. My desire is to become a super-involved and dedicated Recording Secretary while making a difference to those in need. My wish is to do these things as well as work with and for the members of this club. Together, we can reach our goals while having fun. I ask for your vote for Recording Secretary. 8 Kaitlin Cirillo, YOUR Recording Secretary!
Other Activities: Activities/Commitments - cross country, Future Physicians and Nurses Past positions in leadership - Homeroom Representative (6th grade), Community Service Chairperson (7th grade), Leadership Chairperson (8th grade) Current positions of leadership - Homeroom Representative
Richard Laforteza
The job of recording secretary is to record the service hours of Key Club members and file a monthly and annual report making sure that records are accurately kept. I joined Key Club because I wanted to gain service hours while helping our community. I am qualified to hold office as recording secretary because I know how to use the program, spreadsheets, to record the hours and share it to the other members. Also, I am an organized person and I hand in my work on time so I will be easily able to meet monthly report deadlines. Last year, I went to DCON and got awarded for outstanding general member which shows that I am an active member in Key Club and is able to fulfill a position on the executive board. Overall, I have the experience and commitment to be qualified as recording secretary.
Other Activities: Sound and Light and Stage Crew in the auditorium · PLAC · homeroom representative · Ski Club
Editor Candidates Juliana Urbis
Key Club is an eye opening experience. When you think that there’s so little you can do to help others, Key Club makes you understand that a little action means a great difference to the ones you try to help. I’ve always wanted to help people or make them smile, but I didn’t know how. I didn’t have any connection with the community. However, after a friend told me of all the community service opportunities she was given through Key Club, I finally had a connection. Key Club unshadowed hidden doors that I couldn’t see, and it introduced me to a new side of me that I didn’t know I had. After my experience as Key Club’s Historian, I know I want to continue my services to Key Club by being the Editor. I want to express Key Club’s accomplishments and talent 9 through the Key Club magazine, which also serves to let people know that their services are
appreciated. I believe I’m well fit for the position because I’m the formatter for Newspaper club, therefore I have experience with formatting magazines. Also, I work in a timely manner, so I know I can put out an issue with vital information regarding upcoming events. That way, if anyone ever needs to know what’s coming up, they can just look at the latest issue to find out. I don’t make empty promises, so you can rely me to be Key Club’s next editor! Vote for me, guys! Thank you.
Other Activities: Fall Tennis Team · Newspaper Club (Formatter) · FBLA · PHHS Students in Action (Social Media Manager/Website Manager)
Alison Christian
Hello PHHS Key Clubbers! My name is Alison Christian and I am running for editor of Key Club! I was inspired by my sister, Sharon Christian who was one of the former editors, to join this awesome club my freshman year. Key Club was an incredible organization for me to step out of my comfort zone as a freshman. I was given the opportunity to become friends with the upperclassmen and I appreciated the fact that my involvement was towards a great cause. From assisting with Halloween at the Hills, to creating CSH cards, knowing that I will bring a smile to people’s faces was worth it. I have thoroughly enjoyed the memories and would like to advance within the club. I believe that experience makes a qualified candidate. Currently, I am editor of the Teen Advisory Board at the Parsippany Library. This club creates monthly newsletters to provide insight on books, movies, current events, and more. We even promote the library by aiding with fundraising and running programs for the children and their families. Additionally, I am a member of the Newspaper Club and, I have collaborated with my sister in the past regarding newsletters for our church. I see myself accomplishing the duties of an editor by notifying members about upcoming volunteer opportunities, deadlines, and seasonal activities, while maintaining the interests of general members. I would happily arrange a monthly newsletter to inform members about Kiwanis and even provide interviews and information regarding our District Board. Despite the academic workload in high school, I am offering to spend a decent amount of time towards this club whenever needed. I am an ideal candidate for this position because I possess responsibility, dedication, and determination. Community service has been one of my biggest passions since the 6th grade and will continue to be because it is a deed of the heart. Our world needs sympathetic hearts now more than ever. I am grateful to be involved in such an amazing organization that values community service and leadership. If elected, I promise to fulfill and potentially go beyond the duties of the editor position. Thank you!
10
Other Activities: Newspaper Club, Students in Action, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, Steering Committee for Class of 2019, Future Nurses and Physicians Club, Reading Buddies (Parsippany library), Student Council General Assembly, and the Girls Varsity Tennis Team (2016). Positions of Leadership: Editor of the Teen Advisory Board (Parsippany Library), and Co-captain of the JV Girls Tennis Team (2015). Commitments: When it comes to music, I am a committed member of the North Jersey Region Choir and the Morris Area Honors Choir. When it comes to the editor position, I will try my hardest to attend every general meeting, Executive Board meeting, Fall Rally, and DCON, unless an emergency arises.
Cindy Lam
Hello, my name is Cindy Lam and I am running for editor. I see myself doing great in the editor position for the following reasons. First, I see myself fulfilling the editor position because I can keep things organized, and I will make sure to inform all members about the club’s monthly activities, deadlines, and volunteering opportunities. I will make sure that nothing is crumbled, ruined, or stained, and that I will always keep track of everything. I know this is a job that requires responsibility, hard work, and dedication but I am the type of person that is willing and able to take up this role. I think that a good role model should have character, respect, kindness, determination, and honesty. These are all the reasons why I think that I am the person for this job. I’m proud to say I’m a part of Key Club. It’s not only because of all the great, new people I get to meet, but because I know that with everything we do as a club is to service our community. I feel like I have met and connected with so many great students through volunteer services and general meetings that led me to where I am now. I used to live in fear, always concerning if people would not like me and not being able to fit in with others. This is my first year in Key Club as a sophomore and I will always regret not joining during my freshman year. This year, I was tired living in fear, so I was decided to begin my sophomore year to become one of the members of the oldest and largest service organization in the world! If there is one thing in the world that I love to do, it would be making the world a better place. I want to benefit the community, I want to benefit our club. I would gladly provide a monthly newsletter that will notify other members about the activities and events in Key Club. Although, high school comes with a lot of homework and activities. I am willing to give my time and effort whenever it is needed. Thank you.
Other Activities: Besides Key Club, I am one of the Bigs of Big Brother Big Sisters (B.B.B.S). I am on the Fall
11
Girls’ Tennis, I am a member of French Club, Red Cross Club, Christian Club, Steering Committee, Editor for Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B) at the Public Main Library, Future Physicians and Nurses Club, and Habitat for Humanity. Positions of leadership: Currently, I am the secretary of the Class of 2019 and I am one of the editors for T.A.B. Commitments: Despite of all the activities I have, I will always try my best to be committed to Key Club. The only time I wouldn't be able to attend a meeting is if it is an emergency.
Vrinda Jain
Hi fellow Key Clubbers, my name is Vrinda Jain, and I am a Junior running for the editor position. I would make the perfect candidate for this position because I am creative, technologically savvy, and a skilled writer. I have experience in writing photo essays in which I take pictures of simple objects and create an entire story behind them. This job is similar to that as I will be writing articles about the many amazing volunteer opportunities we run and participate in. Additionally, I am a perfectionist and writing a newsletter requires editing; when writing articles or essays I make a plethora of revisions to guarantee a perfect result. I joined Key Club because I was seeking for an opportunity to help out the community and heard that this was the perfect club to accomplish that. Being part of such a large organization makes me feel as if I am part of the community, but being a member isn’t enough for me. Not only do I want to benefit the community, I want to benefit our club. I want to take on an officer position because I believe I could help such a magnificent club as editor.
Other Activities: Volunteer at St Claire's Hospital (90 hours) · Tutor Elementary-Middle School kids · Volunteer at Parsippany Public Library · Editor/Cameraman of an ESL English YouTube channel. The name of the channel is Eazy English · Dance Classes
Historian Candidates Amy Yang To be honest, I initially joined Key Club because my brother told me about the wonderful opportunity to serve and give back to the community. Since then, I have not only been an active and committed member of Key Club, but also learned about the invaluable opportunities of
12
helping others and giving back. What I like most about volunteering and helping others is that we attain the best form of happiness- the priceless feeling knowing that we've made somebody else happy. I believe that, as the Key Club historian, I can help capture these precious moments so that we can cherish our happy memories together.
Other Activities: I am in drama club, women's choir, strings club, SIA, and PAC. Also, I am a homeroom representative.
Brandon Sung
Hi! My name is Brandon Sung and I am a Junior in Parsippany Hills High School. I am currently running for the Historian Officer position. When I was a freshman, I was not aware of the wonderful opportunities that Key Club could offer. The following year, my friends introduced me to this club and I was amazed at how a group of volunteers can come and change the community in such beneficial and exciting ways. I actively participated in this club for one entire year and I am still working hard to help this organization and our community. After a careful analysis of my skills and abilities, it has become evident that the Key Club Historian position is suited for me. As stated in the Volume XLII of Parsippany Hills High School’s Key Notes, the current board is in search of an individual who excels at “communicating with the editors to share pictures for use in the newsletters” and who is willing to attend “all meetings and [take] pictures.” I believe I am overqualified for this position as I meet all these requirements. I have had many opportunities to communicate with a variety of people. My experience ranges from working as a sales manager to directing my own nonprofit board. I am also familiar with many members of the board and the operations within the club. It will be easy to incorporate a hardworking, devoted individual like me into the existing board. In addition, I am also dedicated to Key Club and the fundamental idea of helping those who are not as fortunate as I am. Attending all meetings and events will be a pleasure for me rather than a dreaded dedication as my competitors may believe. Finally, I am extremely qualified in the art of photography and scrapbooking. As a young boy, I have always practiced and treasured these two forms of recreation and I will be more than willing to create a scrapbook for Key Club.
Other Activities: Sports: I am part of the varsity tennis, varsity Cross Country and varsity Marching Band teams in school. Clubs: I actively involve in many clubs including Mu Alpha Theta, SIA, Red Cross, FBLA and Library Pages. My current commitment in FBLA is a 30 page business plan and the digital
13
video production event. For-profit involvement: I worked as a sales manager and cashier. I am also a founder and 33% owner of Revokit LLC. Nonprofit involvement: I attend NNJCACS volunteer program, assisting teachers in weekly lessons to teach young students the language and culture of China and Taiwan. I also teach SAT Math to those whose first language is not English. I am also the Executive Director of JIBS Art Foundation Corp. I oversee operations within the nonprofit and direct a team of about 30 registered members.
Megha Mansuria Hello there! My name is Megha Mansuria and I’m interested in the position for historian. Key Club, to me, is more than gaining service hours; it’s a place where I created unforgettable memories with my friends, and with new friends too, especially at Fall Rally and District Convention last year. In addition, Key Club has given me many opportunities to help the less fortunate and to give back to the community. Since freshmen year, I have been committed to supporting people in our neighborhood and I hope to encourage others as well. A part of my responsibilities is capturing our exciting moments in Key Club, which I look forward to doing so. At the end of the year, the historians make a scrapbook of the photographs from the club events, and you can count on me to be creative. Photography and artistic projects are activities I enjoy and so I will fulfill my role with great eagerness. Also, I am qualified to hold this position because I am dedicated to the club and attending all the events during the year, and I will continue to devote my time to Key Club. “Pic” me for historian and I promise to be “focused” on my role! Thank you!
Other Activities: Parsippany Hills Girl Up - Publicist · Science League · Class of 2018 Steering Committee · Students In Action · Italian Honors Society · Winter Track and Field · Volunteering at the Parsippany Public Library and Morris Museum
Stay tuned for election results in the January issue! 14