The Paw Print University of Houston
Volume 3 | Issue 2
Nov 2018
CONTENTS 03
Pledge & Officer Messages
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Member Spotlight
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Event & Project Recaps
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District Events
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Meeting & Bake Sale Recaps
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Service Hours Update
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December at a Glance
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UH Board & District Board
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Pledge & Officer Messages I pledge to uphold the Objects of Circle K International, to foster compassion and goodwill toward others through service and leadership, to develop my abilities and the abilities of all people, and to dedicate myself to the realization of mankind's potential.”
Hi! Hello! How are you? My name is Joy Capellan and I am your editor this year. Since high school, I’ve been a part of many community-based organizations, but not many stood out to me as much as Key Club and Circle K. Our family gets bigger and better every year, and I am so glad I’ve been a part of this organization to witness our continuous growth. Circle K is not just another volunteering club. It’s an organization that teaches you compassion and leadership while making a huge difference in the community.
- Joy Finals season is finishing up along with a semester of Circle K! To all the new members, I hope you enjoyed this busy semester through service and socials with your new family. Although winter break is about to begin, I have some recaps on this past month as well as some updates and events for December. I look forward to seeing everyone again next semester and I wish everyone an early Happy Holidays!
- Glenda
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MEMBER
SPOTLIGHT I’m not the best with words, but I can say with certainty that being a part of CKI has changed my life. The connections I’ve made with everyone from laughing at all the potatoes I ate at Fall Retreat to listening to the heartfelt stories at “Our Story” with CHAT has helped me find the family I love being a part of. I can’t think of a better group of people who radiates kindness and who knows how to make everyone laugh until our stomachs hurt than CKI. I’m grateful to have CKI in my life and I’m honored to be member of the month along with Joy and David!”
Gabrielle Nguyen
I cannot think of a better collegiate organization than Circle K. Circle K is more than just a club, it is like another tight -knit family. I remembered the first meeting when the officers boldly made a statement to all new members that in Circle K, we were bound to make guaranteed friends; initially, I thought they were joking, but in reality, they were not lying. Circle K has not only made a positive impact on the world but also a positive impact on me. The sense of community truly makes me feel welcomed every time I am volunteering or at an event with any member and motivates me to want to constantly participate. I have to say, most of the great memories I have made so far as a college freshman primarily came from Circle K. Being honored as ‘Member of the Month’ additionally motivates me even more to continue to be an active member and contribute to this growing family. Honestly, it does not matter to me whether I am recognized for my active involvement. As long as I get to be around my Circle K family while volunteering and/or hanging out with them, I am happy. I love my Circle K family and hope that others can see how much this club can bring out the best of anyone who partake in its destinationless journey.”
David-Toàn Nguyen
I feel really grateful to be one of the members of the month! At the beginning of this school year, I was worried about transitioning and not knowing anybody; I was even worried about joining this club because I had felt like I just wouldn’t fit in. But what I’ve learned and grown to appreciate over these last few months is truly how inclusive of an organization Circle K is. You guys are some of the kindest and most warm-hearted people I’ve ever had the pleasure of getting to know. Every meeting that we have is guaranteed to brighten up my day, and volunteering with everyone, coming together to do things that we’re all really passionate about or invested in, has been such a genuinely enjoyable experience. I feel extremely lucky to be a part of something like this, and I’m excited to see what next year will bring!”
Joy Williams 4
TRUNK ’R TREAT RECAP END OF OCTOBER At the end of October, we had Trunk ‘r Treat, which kicked off the beginning of our November service project, #WithRefugees. Originally started by our chapter last year, Trunk ‘r Treat was held during the weekend before Halloween for two days. The location was held in two different apartment complexes that is populated with refugee or immigrant families. Parents are often times hesitant to let their children go trick ‘r treating due to safety or financial concerns, so the idea behind Trunk ‘r Treat is to provide children with a safe and friendly environment to celebrate Halloween. Stations and games were set up around the apartment complex. Children can make masks, wands or decorate paper bags to carry candies at our craft stations. We also had candies for them. Everyone had an enjoyable time during these two days. We could not have done this event alone. While many of our CKI members came and dressed up in costumes, we also invited other organizations from the University of Houston such as International Students Organization (ISO) and Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees (PAIR) to lend us a hand. Kroger graciously sponsored our service event so we were able to get most of the supplies we needed. SEWA partnered up with us to coordinate the event logistics. We are very thankful and appreciative of everyone who came to support or simply donated supplies because without them, the children would not have such a fun filled Halloween experience.
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NOVEMBER RECAP #WithRefugees
November started off with Little Cougar Scientists in collaboration with Global Medical Brigades. A few hours later, our CKI members left UH for the T-O district event, Fall Retreat, at UT Arlington. (see page 7) Throughout November, we had in-meeting service projects, such as making hygiene kits at our 6th general meeting as part of our involvement with the Governor's Project, Destination Empowerment. (see page 8) In mid-November, we volunteered at the UH Rock the Campus with Metropolitan Volunteer Program, MVP, and at the UH Cultural Explosion. We also volunteered at Houston Pets Alive during Thanksgiving break. Finally, we participated in “Our Story” Service Project with CHAT as part of the end of our November service project, #WithRefugees.
The Houston Pets Alive was definitely not what I expected at all, but I’m glad I went! I made a bunch of little (big) buddies that did a lot of pooping and peeing everywhere. The dogs were so sweet and wanted attention. The best part was laughing with my fellow CKI-ians, but the bestest was when the dogs were pulling and we were all laughing at all the faces we made at each other. Whenever CKI is there, it’s always a good time :)”
- Gabrielle Nguyen
‘Our Story’ with CHAT was a big storytelling event in which we, the volunteers began by telling our stories, then had the refugee/ immigrant children tell their stories as well. The main goal behind this part of the event was to try to inspire each other through the things we believe inspired us. I especially enjoyed this segment of the event as many of the children told us sincere stories regarding their backgrounds and things that helped them move further. Next, we had a joint drawing activity where we and the children drew our stories together on a large sheet of craft paper. While the children were drawing, I realized that many of them were able to express themselves better through their art than through their words. In fact, it was much easier to talk to them and engage with them as they each described to us their stories on paper and how special it was to them. All in all, being together in such a positive environment with the children, hearing their stories, and drawing together with them allowed me to think about them as more than just children I’ve met, but rather as community members I’d like to progress with.”
- Fatimah Abidogun 6
DISTRICT events FALL RETREAT
The first weekend of November was spent at the Texas-Oklahoma district event, Fall Retreat, at UT Arlington! The night we arrived was spent getting to know other CKI members from different universities after separating us into different teams based off of the Houses from the HBO series, Game of Thrones! The next day was spent at Mission Arlington where all CKI members teamed up to organize canned food by category for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and pack it back up into banana boxes. Afterwards, a series of competitive games were played in order to crown the winner of the houses! We hope everyone who participated in Fall Retreat enjoyed their time and possibly made new friends! 7
Hygiene Kits
6th Meeting
General Meeting & Bake Sale Recap Our 6th meeting was focused on making hygiene kits as part of our involvement with the Governor’s Project, Destination Empowerment! The kits were donated to UH Women and Gender Resource Center.
7th Meeting
Induction Ceremony/Meme Social
Our 7th and last general meeting of the semester was our new member induction ceremony as well as a meme social! We hope everyone enjoyed the last meeting as well as being a part of the CKI family this semester!
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5th Bake Sale
Thank you to all our members who participated and volunteered or donated food items in our last bake sale of the semester. We wouldn’t be successful without you guys!
SERVICE HOURS update
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12/3 — Jingle Bell Express with Kiwanis 12/15 — Kiwanis Holiday Party 12/19 — White Cougar Social
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UH CIRCLE K
Advisors & Officer Board Harry Watson
Dr. Paige Evans ADVISOR
ADVISOR
Email: pevans@uh.edu
Mr. Watson has been a Kiwanis member of the Houston Club for 2.5 years as well as served many CKI positions throughout his younger years.
College of NSM Clinical Professor and Science Master Teacher for teachHouston
Alexander Le
Cecilia Nguyen-Do
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
Major: Honors Biomedical Sciences Email: ale8@uh.edu
Major: Psychology Email: cmnguyen-do@uh.edu
Sammie Chen
Danielle London
Joy Capellan
SECRETARY
TREASURER
EDITOR
Major: Civil Engineering Email: schen46@uh.edu
Major: Chemical Engineering Email: dalondon@uh.edu
Major: Public Health Email: jdcapellan2@uh.edu
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UH CIRCLE K
Committee Chairs
Tram Tran
Karen Garcia
Glenda Cheng
PR CHAIR
FELLOWSHIP CHAIR
EDITOR-IN-TRAINING
Major: Supply Chain
Major: Human Resources & Development Email: kgarcia1357@gmail.com
Major: Chemical Engineering Email: gwcheng@uh.edu
Management & Management Information Systems
Email: tdtran15@uh.edu
Jose Leyva
Fatimah Abidogun
SERVICE CHAIR
SERVICE CHAIR
Major: Public Health
Major: BioTechnology Email: onlyzahrah13@gmail.com
Email: Joseleyva0898@gmail.com
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TEXAS-OKLAHOMA
District Leadership
Dylann Lowery
Sean Dempsey
GOVERNOR
DISTRICT SECRETARY
College: Oklahoma State University Email: governor@txokcki.org
College: Texas A&M University Email: secretary@txokcki.org
Kristen Iannello SE TEXAS LTG College: Texas A&M University at Galveston Email: southeasttexasltg@txokcki.org
Lane Marsh
Yahaira Arneros
DISTRICT TREASURER
DISTRICT EDITOR
College: The University of Texas at Tyler Email: treasurer@txokcki.org
College: The University of Texas at Arlington Email: editor@txokcki.org
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Thank You to our members for making this past month filled with love, laughter, and service.
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