July Newsletter

KEY FACTS July 2014

The official newsletter of the Cypress Woods High School Key Club

NEW YEAR

Preparation

3

President’s Letter Natasha’s thoughts on the beginning of the year.

4

Upcoming Events Catch up on hours before the new year.

8

Perspectives

Gaining new experiences as a club officer.

Volume 3, Issue 3 August 5, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE...

3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER 4 UPCOMING EVENTS 5 BREAKING THE ICE

SUMMER SOCIAL IDEAS 6 KEY EXPERIENCES 8 CREDITS 10

Contact Information Cy Woods Key Club Officers President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Editor Representative Coordinator Historian Webmaster Junior Secretary K-Family Board

Natasha Solanki Matt Faga Jacque Chan Ashley Kawakubo Shannon Steele Kishan Solanki Gina Zhang Nick Nguyen Sharon Zhou Ashley Butterfield Grace Teoh Naomi Zavala Madelin Cowden Richa Patel Trenton Bird Daniel Campos

natasha.solanki@hotmail.com mattcfaga@me.com jacque.chan1019@gmail.com

(281) 904-7873 (713) 449-3307 (832) 349-4198

shannonjsteele@gmail.com kitchishere@gmail.com gina_zhang2008@hotmail.com nick.erik2010@yahoo.com happysharonzh@yahoo.com ashleybutterfield97@gmail.com gracelvo@gmail.com naomizavala@icloud.com madelin11@live.com richa928@hotmail.com

(409) 767-5316 (281) 904-8652 (832) 773-3228 (281) 849-4885 (281) 346-9218 (281) 312-9706 (832) 298-4772 (281) 974-7152

Division 3N Lieutenant Governor Amy Jiang

Cypress Falls

amyjiang.kc@gmail.com

Texas-Oklahoma District Staff Governor Secretary Treasurer Editor Convention Liaison Tech Producer

2

Kaitlyn Wilson Samuel Kinnin Colin Gonzalez Emily Zhao Ashlyn Salvato Bobby Thakkar

governor@tokeyclub.com secretary@tokeyclub.com treasurer@tokeyclub.com editor@tokeyclub.com conventionliaison@tokeyclub.com

A letter from your

Club President Dear Key Clubbers,

The time has come to re-engage! The summer is almost over, and I’m calling on each and every single one of you to help me improve our community this year. In just a few weeks Key Club will be back up and running in full speed, and as this year’s president I am requesting all of the help I can find. We, my friends, will make a difference. So who is with me?!

If that motivational speech didn’t get you pumped up for the new Key Club year, I hope our presentation at Wildcat Express will! Make sure you look for our booth, Key Clubbers (we’ll be the ones who are extremely loud). If you don’t already know what Key Club is all about, we’ll be passing out informational fliers to let everyone in on the hype! We will also be selling old Key Club shirts and showing off all our trophies from DCON. This way, we can get even more people to attend our first meeting of the year.

Our first meeting will cover various topics from membership forms to hour requirements, but most importantly, it will cover the importance of Key Club. This organization revolves around service and fun. Along with all of the service opportunities that we provide, we also hold various socials and our annual lock-in!

In fact, to ensure that this year runs smoothly, I have held a meeting during the summer with the entire officer and rep team to discuss the Wildcat Express, new t-shirt designs and most importantly the fall semester. Trust me when I say this year is going to be different. We plan on bringing everyone closer through various team building activities and socials. If anyone would like pitch us some of your creative ideas please don’t hesitate to contact us at cywoodskeyclub@gmail.com. I would like to remind everyone that this club is not run by its officers; rather, it is run by you, the members. You are the foundation for our success which is why I want you guys to participate on a larger scale.

I look forward to meeting everyone. Enjoy the rest of your summer and remember to prepare for a great year of service and fun!

Yours in service,

Natasha Solanki President of Cypress Woods Key Club

3

Upcoming Events Wildcat Express August 12 Seniors: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Juniors: 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Sophomores: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

First Day of School August 25 Stay tuned for info about our first club meeting!

Breaking the Ice.

Icebreaker ideas to get members excited.

Sharon Zhou Junior Secretary

T

ry to picture these five groups: the shy freshmen, not really sure what’s going on; the sophomores, acting like they know so much; the juniors, talking to their friends because they know the drill; the seniors, bored out of their minds waiting for the meeting to start and end; and the officers socializing among themselves.

Sound familiar? Maybe you saw this happen at a recent Key Club meeting?

We’re all part of the same volunteering organization, but we separate into tiny “subgroups” and stay to our own group of friends without interacting with the other members of the club, completely defeating the purpose of the group.

Some clubs might start their meeting with icebreakers, but let’s face it; most freshmen and new members are unlikely to participate. Pair that with the ones acting too cool for silly games and you get a half-awake group of teenagers and a boring meeting. Here are some icebreakers that are fun and sure to make everyone join in and feel welcome.

4

Perfect Match Rules: Person A goes to the front of the room and stands with their back to the players. Person B is the moderator and stands next to Person A, but facing the players.

Person A tells Person B things that they want in their “perfect match” like, “She has to have blonde hair” or, “He has to be a basketball player.” As each fact is called out, the people that don’t meet the criteria sit down, and everyone else remains standing. When only one person is left, Person A meets his or her “Perfect Match.”

We played this at the 2013 Fall Training Conference. The FTC was a perfect example of a bunch of strangers that potentially could keep to their own group/school.

However, we were all gathered into

the auditorium for an icebreaker.

I was completely confused when we first started to play. What did they say it was called? Something Match? And we’re supposed to find each other’s’ “soul mates”?

However, once we got the rules clear and started playing, it was clear that this icebreaker was incredibly fun. We all giggled and groaned as people sprouted off things they wanted to see in their perfect match. When only one person was left standing, we cheered as the “happy couple” gave each other a hug. Everyone cheered especially loud when one person used this game to ask his crush to Homecoming! (And she said yes!)

Perfect match is a crowd favorite – as long as everyone plays along.

Toilet Paper Mummy Rules: Separate people into groups of five to eight. Hand each group a roll of toilet paper and assign one person the role of “mummy,” then start timing the groups. The point of this game is to have a group wrap the mummy with toilet paper until there is no more paper. Be sure to leave the nose and eyes uncovered! The group that does this the fastest without tearing their paper wins.

This can be modified during the holidays by using wrapping paper

Human Pretzel

instead of toilet paper!

I played this icebreaker recently at a gathering with my friends.

At first, it seemed a little cheesy; however, once the clock started, the competitive side in everyone started to edge out, and we were all scrambling to run around and around the person to wrap them up. It’s not as easy as it seems; the bigger the group, the more people that are trying to work together, and the easier the paper tears!

Rules: Gather a group of people (5 or more) and have them stand in a circle. Everyone reaches out and grabs someone else’s hand, but the person can’t be standing right next to them.

Once there is a jumble of arms and hands in the middle, you have to untangle yourselves without letting go of each other’s hands.

This game is challenging but fun. There’s something about being all tied up that really makes people open up and laugh at themselves and each other. It physically requires everyone to participate, but sometimes, just standing back and watching others struggle to untwist themselves is really fun, too! If you have a lot of new members, this icebreaker would be good to separate people into smaller groups and actually get to meet them instead of trying to commit all of your members’ names to memory at once. Once you have been working with each other, you’re definitely more likely to talk to each other and get to know each other!

Playing the Human Knot is a great icebreaker for a meeting.

Obviously, there are a lot of icebreakers out there. Some of them are definitely very easy to plan. Others are a lot more fun. Because there are so many icebreakers, Key Clubbers should make sure that the icebreaker they choose fits their circumstances. For example, Human Pretzel might be a better icebreaker for complete strangers. The game forces everyone to become active and work together to solve a problem that they essentially created by themselves.

However, it takes a long time for everyone to free themselves

though, so it might be better for meetings that aren’t time constrained. On the other hand, Toilet Paper Mummy is better for meetings that are limited by how long they can be because the game itself is so short and fast paced. When everyone is racing against the clock, a roll of toilet paper can be unraveled pretty quickly! The next time you plan a meeting, make sure to add a few icebreakers. They will definitely create a fun atmosphere and make everyone eager to hear what’s going to be discussed at the meeting.

5

SUMMER Summer is the perfect time for bonding.

Nirav Lalsinghani

Sophomore Representative

Division 3N at the May PCM.

S

ocials in general are great ways to make new friends and to find out new things about your division and Key Club. The most recent social that I was able to attend was the May PCM in Telge Park. The entire day was definitely fun, and I certainly learned a lot from it. We played games that tested our knowledge about our most recent newsletter sent out by LTG Amy Jiang, and we played a few games to practice teamwork. Both games were very exciting and while it was all happening I felt like I was learning about the real meaning of Key Club and all about Division 3N. As a freshman, I found this especially important to becoming deeper involved in the organization.

The games were the best part of the

6

social because, one, they got us up and moving, and two, they were an easy way of making us aware of the things that were going on in Key Club and Division 3N. The first game we played was about the newsletter sent out by Amy Jiang. We were split into four teams. The game involved running to Amy Jiang to answer a question she asked about the newsletter with the help of your teammates. If you got the question right, you got a point, and the team with the most points at the end of the game won. The second game we played was one were we have to take a picture of video of something that fit the topic given to us by Amy Jiang.

This game really tested our ability to work as a team and our ability to think

on the spot. This game was probably my favorite of the two.

Even though the social was really fun and helped us learn a lot, there were a few things that could be improved.

One of the main things that should have been done was to hold the PCM later in the day. Because it was held in the middle of the day and in the middle of May, it was really hot and it made it distracting for myself and other Key Clubbers. It might also would have been a great idea if people brought water and or other drinks to help keep us hydrated. The fun-filled social made everyone excited to be in Key Club, and I will definitely be attending more.

SOCIALS

Who’s ready for a fantastic summer social?

Stephanie Dao

Junior Representative

W

hile I am definitely looking forward to the new school year and uniting with the other members, we still have a few more weeks of prime summertime, and what better way to spend a day than with Key Clubbers at a social? A great place to have a social would be a local ice cream shop. Ice cream is perfect to help cool down during the hot Texas summer.

We could enjoy sweet treats and play a few ice breakers with other members.

When planning a social like this, it is important to invite not only returning members but also friends and prospective members. Who knows, when school starts and students are deciding whether or not to join, they might recall being invited to a social

and choose Key Club.

Another great place to have a social and get some fresh air would be a park. Although summers in Texas are outrageously hot, a park with lots of shade would be an ideal place to meet. You could also organize a picnic or a cookout with the members. The park is also a fantastic place to hold icebreakers games because of all the open space, and what better time to play a game of ultimate Frisbee or tag?

Consider going to someone’s house for a pool party. Everyone could bring snacks and play pool games without being too far from home. The good thing about a pool is that you would not have to carpool or plan much in advance besides finding a pool and

picking a date.

A great thing to do before arranging a social is to ask members for a date that they would be available to attend.

This way it does not just seem like one person is making all the decisions.

Instead of planning a social by yourself ask your members what they would be interested in doing or let them vote on locations. Ask for any suggestions for good icebreakers and games that they would enjoy. A good social is planned with both officers and members. There are many places to hold a social but the main goal of a social is not about picking the fanciest place, but picking a place where you and your members are comfortable and can get to know each other without any pressure.

7

DCON: A Valuable Experience.

Officer shares her thoughts on DCON 2014.

Grace Teoh

Builders Club Representative

M

y most valuable experience until I attended my first DCON. I with Key Club has to be my never realized that there were so many first DCON, which I attended this people that shared the same interests past April. During my sophomore and passions. year, I decided that I wanted to Another thing I learned at DCON become more involved in Key Club, was some of the qualities that define so I applied to become a Builders Club a good leader. By attending my first Representative. I got the position and, DCON, I got to see amazing leaders with it, and invitation to DCON. around my age. They ooze confidence.

Before attending DCON, I didn't They are great public speakers, who really know much about it or what to not only can recite a speech eloquently expect. I just knew that I wanted to in front of a large crowd, but can also go and thanks to my parents, I got my relate to their audience. They work wish. hard to achieve their goals. And they DCON gave me a chance to bond are passionate about what they do. and get to know many of my fellow These great leadership qualities along Key Club officers and representatives with many more, makes them stand whom I did not know very well or at out of the crowd. People look up to all. I got to meet so many new people them and aspire to be them. However, and get to know the other members of I realized that these leaders at DCON my own Key Club better. There was a are also regular teenagers as well – feeling of unity that was in the air, not just within the Cy Woods Key Club, but also in the division of 3N and the whole TexasOklahoma district as well. We were all Key Clubbers. We were all there for the same reasons. We were all passionate about volunteering and being part of an organization that does so much to give back to the community. I never knew how big the Key Club community truly was Cy Woods Key Club at DCON 2014.

8

with a few more things stacked on their plates. After attending DCON and seeing all these people whom possess such leadership skills, I am more inspired to become a leader now than ever before. I want to be someone people will look up to and lead, not be someone who always just follows.

My first DCON experience is hard to fully put into words. One just has to be at DCON itself to truly know what the experience is like. DCON definitely has to be my favorite and most valuable experience with Key Club. I got to meet and get to know so many new people and learn so much that will stick with me for a long time into the future. I hope to attend DCON again in my remaining two years of Key Club.

Leading Future Leaders.

Being an officer teaches lessons.

Ashley Butterfield

Builders Club Representative

Butterfield with the Goodson Middle School Builders Club at the end of the year.

I

have only been a Builders Club officer for a few months, but I have already learned so much. Some of the leadership skills I have learned already include communication, confidence and commitment.

To expound on these skills, communication would probably be the most important quality I have been able to further develop. In previous clubs, the communication between the leaders or sponsors and the club members has been far from good. A lot of the time I would have to write and ask someone for details that should have been provided ahead of time.

Because of the lack of communication with other organizations, I would miss out on opportunities to help and give my input. Key Club is the exact opposite of such clubs. Through the Facebook page, the Remind 101 app and a readily-available contact sheet, I am always informed and know exactly what to do or where to go. Since Key Club communicates well with fellow

members, I have learned to use these similar methods to communicate with my Builders Club so they always are in the loop of what is going on.

Confidence is another big thing Key Club has helped me develop. Before I applied for the Builders Club position, I would prefer not to get up in front of others and talk. Now I am so much more confident in who I am and what I have to say that I love talking and sharing my ideas with everyone. Key Club is just that kind of club where students walk in and know that people will listen to them and make them feel like what they have to say is important.

Because of this, my confidence level has risen greatly and I feel I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

Lastly, commitment is a leadership skill that I know for sure will develop even more than it already has.

Running a club isn’t something that is whipped together in five minutes.

It takes detailed planning to make sure everything runs smoothly. Just

recently, I conducted a meeting.

When I sat down to plan what we were going to do, I had no idea how much time and thinking it would take.

From snacks to parents picking up their kids had to be planned out and took a few hours. Nevertheless, when I finished I was so excited because the activities were extremely fun and I couldn’t wait to participate as well.

Commitment is one of the top things needed for a leader to be successful, and from watching and learning from the Key Club President and my fellow Builders Club Officers, I know that my commitment skills will continue to grow as I learn more from fellow Key Clubbers and gain more experience in leading Builders Club.

Key Club has been a part of my life since freshman year and as I get more involved, my leadership skills will develop more than they already have in the short period of time I’ve been an officer this year.

9

CONTRIBUTIONS COVER PHOTO

SHANNON STEELE

PHOTOS

ARTICLE AUTHORS

ARTICLES

ASHLEY BUTTERFIELD STEHPAHNIE DAO NIRAV LALSINGHANI GRACE TEOH SHARON ZHOU

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

NATASHA SOLANKI

KEY FACTS CYPRESS WOODS HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB JUNE 2014