The Talon of T-O | Mansfield Lake Ridge Key Club | May 2022 | Volume 6 | Issue 2

MAY 2022

LAKE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB

The Talon of T-O VOLUME 6 - ISSUE 2 - DIVISION 39S - REGION 7

TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

Monthly Recap

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Letter from the Editor

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Articles and Photos

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June Calendar

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Upcoming Events

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Annette Perry Field Day

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Kiwanis Banquet

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Division 39S Officer Social

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Senior Spotlights

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HOTO + Article

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District/LTG Goodbyes + LTG Intro

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Major Emphasis

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Contacts

22 Stay Connected

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MONTHLY RECAP With the school year coming to close and several events throughout the month, it has been quite busy for our club!

We had our final meeting

FIELD DAY

of the year as well as

volunteered at Annette Perry Elementary School's Field Day, attended Mansfield Kiwanis Club's End-ofthe-year Banquet, and attended a Division 39S Officer Social organized by our club alongside Timberview High School and our Lieutenant Governor, Abraham Medina.

We look forward to what the summer months have in store for our club, but until then, remember to continue to serve others and stay safe!

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Letter from the Editor Hey, fellow Key Clubbers!

Welcome back to The Talon of T-O! First off, I am proud to share that my very first newsletter got Top 5 Newsletters in the Texas Oklahoma District for the month of April!! This past month has been chaotic with wrapping up my junior year and staying involved in Key Club and all of my other extracurriculars. Now that the school year is over, make sure you are getting plenty well-deserved rest, having fun with your loved ones, and serving! Our club officers are working on planning a variety of socials and service opportunities for this summer, so stay tuned with the newsletters, Instagram, and remind.

Have a great summer! Stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, get some fresh air, try a new hobby, and make tons of memories!! With that being said, enjoy this month's edition of The Talon of T-O!

Yours in Service,

Zoe Leddy 4

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Juneteenth 6

WED

Upcoming Events Feed the Kids

Allies in Youth Development -When? Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am-12pm -Where? 1315 Hwy 1187, Suite 115, Mansfield, TX, 76063

-When? Every Wednesday: Two shifts (morning @10am and afternoon @6pm) Where? First Baptist Church, 1800 East Broad Street, Mansfield, TX,

-Info: You will pack boxes of

76063

clothes, toys, and personal

-Info: First Shift will unload food

hygiene products, and make

from a truck, transfer it to a

cards to send to orphans in

building, and load tables for

Eastern European Countries -Sign-Up: Bring your hours log and sign up here

bagging Second Shift will work in an assembly line to load bags of food for the Food Pantry

June Divisional Council Meeting -When? June 23 @12pm -Where? On Zoom -How do I join?

Meeting ID: 859 2418 4930 Passcode: keyclub

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Some of our club officers posing for a selfie during a break

Nhi Nguyen overseeing the elementary schoolers as they go on the water slide

Annett Field

John Dunlap instructions to the tag st Ethan Clark and Abraham Medina managing the tag station

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Ethan Clark conversing with a group of students

Zoe Leddy operating the car wash station

e Perry d Day

Michaela McClendon interacting with some of the children before they use the water slide

p giving students at tation Some of the club officers take a group selfie after a long day of serving in the sun

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Kiwanis Banquet Our club's past Webmasters Noah Obuya and Madison Nguyen and our current Webmaster, Chris Do

Division 39S's past Lieutenant Governors, Camilla Brown, Noah Obuya, and Lauren St. Clair, and our current LTG, Abraham Medina

LTG, Abraham Medina, and some of our club officers pose for a selfie after the banquet

Zoe Leddy with Mansfield Kiwanis Club's Service and Leadership Chairman Corey Nieman

Some of our club officers with our District Governor, Jonathan Perez 10

Saman Saiforoayai takes a selfie with some of the social attendees

Club officers from Legacy, Mansfield, and Lake Ridge and Corey Nieman playing volleyball

Saman Saiforoayai, John Dunlap, and Neva Khan stop for a photo while playing volleyball

Officers from Lake Ridge, Legacy, Mansfield, and Timberview in a group photo on the sand volleyball court

Division 39S Officer Social 11

Destin Drummond

Officer Positions: Vice President (2021 - 2022) In the same year that I joined Key Club, I was introduced to Allies in Youth Development, a non-profit

Political Science + Psychology Major at Texas Christian University

organization that aims to improve the lives of European individuals living in impoverished communities.

Every other Sunday, I complete tasks such as assembling hygiene kits, sorting donations, and even becoming pen pals with some of the orphans receiving the packaged items from the organization. I received an email from a Ukrainian boy expressing his sincere gratitude for the items we’d sent to him and how amused they were to receive something from The United States. I was immediately humbled.

Even small things like tubes of toothpaste and toilet

Senior

paper excited my pen-pals. Over six thousand miles away, four individuals indirectly taught me how much I take small things for granted. I was told I was changing these orphans’ lives, but they were, in fact, changing mine.

The hardest part about high school is not the classes, the balancing of a busy schedule, nor the exams; it’s saying goodbye as we embark on a new chapter of our lives. Within a year of being in the organization, I became Vice President. My fellow officers were nothing but welcoming and made me feel like I was a part of an eternal family. I have made the best memories with each person this past year as we worked diligently to strengthen the organization. So, to the upcoming offices as well as those who are graduating with me, I wish the best for all of your futures. If you continue to put dedication and passion into everything you do, there is nothing that can stop y’all from becoming successful.

Yours in Service,

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Destin Drummond

Nhi Nguyen

Officer Positions: Editor (2021 - 2022) Hey guys! Key Club has brought many fun memories and fun experiences to me in the past three years. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve the community and I am super thankful to work with the dedicated

Architecture Major at the University of Texas at Arlington

officer's board and members. You guys have inspired me so much to get out of my comfort zone, communicate better, and work harder. Especially, it has been my honor to be your editor, oh and don’t forget to read the Key Club newsletters hehe. I am confident that the officers next year will achieve great things and their

r Spotlights

enthusiasm will help the club to grow. To the seniors that are graduating this year, as well as the members who continue to be a part of Key Club, I wish you all the best!

I will miss everyone so much! Goodbye and good luck!

Goodbye Key Club! It was a great pleasure working with fellow members and officers these past three years to serve our community. I truly appreciate the family I have made, and I wish the best for current

Chemical Engineering Major at Cornell University

Bisola Okunola

Officer Positions: Hours Coordinator (2021 - 2022)

and future members of the club.

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Reflections of a Senior History Major at the United States Naval Academy Officer Positions: Sophomore Rep. (2019-2020), Vice President (2020-2021), Treasurer (2021-2022)

Ethan Clark

As a senior, this final year in Key Club has been one to remember. Going into this year, I was highly optimistic about what our club could accomplish, and that optimism hasn’t diminished one bit. Seeing the new officers and new members and getting to experience LEDCON this year with many of them, gives me hope for what our club will do in the future. The hundreds and thousands of lives that will be impacted via leadership through service in our club, and clubs around the world will be astonishing. With all of this said, I believe it’s time for a Key Club rewind.

In my freshman year, I heard about Key Club as an organization similar to that of Boy Scouts.

At that time, I had just ranked up in the organization of Scouts as a Star Scout, and upon

hearing of another way to serve, I thought I should give it a try. Little did I know, this was my first step into a whole new world. Upon joining, I was greeted by service projects at the local schools, churches, and parks, as well as socials among schools that included skating, volleyball, and everything in between. I wanted to be a part of this wonderful organization, but even more, I wanted to help lead it. This led me on the path of running to become a Sophomore Representative for the coming year. With determination and a bit of luck, I was elected to represent the Sophomores of Key Club. That next year, I logged and tracked the service hours of sophomores, organized socials, presented during meetings, and collaborated in planning with other officers. Although I didn’t get to go to LEDCON that year due to Covid-19, we still managed to come together as a club, even if it was virtual, and coordinate service projects to help the community.

Next came Junior year, where I decided to run for Vice President of the club. Getting the position, I was ecstatic! That year I was in the process of completing my Eagle Project, so becoming Vice President allowed me to gain even greater leadership experience that I absolutely used when coordinating my project. My favorite part of that year was coordinating a service project that allowed the city, NHS, and Key Clubs, to create homemade cards, donate board games, and donate adult coloring books to a local nursing home. After the whirlwind that is dubbed the “toughest year of high school,” I launched into my last year in Key Club.

Senior year. This year has had highs and lows, but Key Club has been by my side throughout it all. This year I led the club as its Treasurer, managing funds, applying for grants, and creating budgets. It was also the first time I got to attend an in-person LEDCON throughout my Key Club career. I’ll never forget all of the lessons I’ve learned, friends I’ve made, or skills I’ve gained from Key Club, but above all, I’ll never forget the look on others’ faces as I served them.

I pass the torch down to you, new officers and members. Continue a legacy of servant leadership, and don’t forget to have fun while doing it!

Yours in Service,

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Ethan Clark

Reconnecting With Our Childhood John Dunlap, Treasurer With the school year approaching its end, high school students are dealing with the stress of AP exams and finals until the sweet release of high school. May is the most important month of a high school student’s education as it determines rank, GPA, or college credit making this month stressful for everyone involved.

My name is John Dunlap and I am a junior as well as treasurer of the Mansfield Lake Ridge Key Club, who has been dealing this stress of the end of junior year. Teachers always say that junior year is the hardest with its multiple AP classes you can take and SAT prep on top of all the extracurricular activities you can do.

My junior year was jam-packed of academics and extracurriculars and the pressure was mounting. I needed something to take my mind off of school and our Key Club was given a volunteer opportunity that was perfect for what I had in mind.

The Lake Ridge Key Club was given the opportunity to volunteer at the Annette Perry Elementary School Field Day and help around at the various stations. There were six stations for the six grade levels; Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade, and they spent approximately fifty minutes at each station before moving on to the next one. Our Key Club members were posted at these stations and interacted with the students.

I personally helped out with the ‘tag you’re it’ and ‘basketball’ stations. Being able to assist the teachers and staff and play with the children was something very special to me. It reminded me of my time in elementary school in Kansas, my childhood that can no longer be visited due to the eight-hour drive separating us. As I ran and played tagged, something that high schoolers do very rarely, I was struck by the nostalgia of seeing the kids run free and laugh without worrying about anything. This sight of innocent children without having to stress about AP exams and their GPA reminded me of simpler times. The field trip to Annette Perry elementary school was a way to rediscover the uncomplicated times.

Key Club has given me the opportunity to connect to and experience the childhood that I have forgotten due to the pressure of high school. With the school year coming to an end and as I am about to enter my senior year, I have to worry about college and scholarships, but knowing the innocence that elementary school students continue to experience gives me a breath of fresh air.

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Officer Positions: Webmaster (2020-2021)

Noah Obuya

District Tech Producer (2021-2022) First, I would like to say that I'm endlessly thankful for all of the relationships I've built through Key Club from starting out as a member to "making it big". It was an honor to be a part of the officer and district board, and because of you guys, it’s going to be so hard to leave. Feel free to contact me anytime, especially if you have questions about moving up to district level!!

Joining key club Freshman year, I felt I didn't belong and struggled to

Majoring in Biology + concentration in pharmacology at Duke University

reach out and actually go to volunteering events. I took a step out of my comfort zone by going to Allies in Youth. Even though we were not doing the most grandiose things, it was nice to talk to the other

Key Club members, some from other schools, as we colored cards and sorted items.

In the second semester of my sophomore year, I took a leap of faith and decided to run for Webmaster while Lauren ran for Editor. My year as webmaster was filled with moments I’ll never forget including A facetime call with Neva, Ethan, and Lauren that we spent reworking the entire website one random Tuesday over thanksgiving break and zoom officer meetings right after my post-school nap.

After being Webmaster for a year and many conversations, I decided to run for Lieutenant Governor.

Preparing for questioning and my election speech, I worried that the position of LTG would be too much for me, and doubted I would win against my opposition, only to show up to the DEC and discover I was running unopposed.

That wasn’t the end of my journey, I decided to apply for District Tech Producer, a position full of uncertainty, but one that proved to be all worth the effort. The members of the T-O District Board are some of the most well-rounded individuals I have ever met. I have developed friendships that will transcend Key Club and built upon life skills that will serve to benefit me for years to come.

I’m so grateful that I took that huge stride after all my baby steps. I say all this to urge you guys to take your own strides and steps. Whether it has been in Key Club (it should be!) or pursuing leadership in another club, you’ll end up with strong friendships and even stronger memories, leaving a better person than you were before. It sucks to say goodbye, but while I may leave this club, we’ll forever be together, because Key Club will always hold a key to my heart.

T-Ogether always,

Noah Obuya Officer Positions:

Lieutenant Governor (2021-2022)

Hi y'all!! It's a wrap for my time as your Lt. Governor!!! I'm incredibly blessed and humbled to have been able to serve with such amazing people. Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication throughout the year, and allowing me the privilege of serving as your LTG. I'm so proud of what we were able to accomplish, and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for this group!!! All love!!!

Yours in service,

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Lauren St. Clair

Lauren St. Clair

Editor (2020-2021)

Astronautical Engineering Major at the United States Air Force Academy

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Major Emphasis

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Officer Contacts PRESIDENT Neva Khan lrhskcpresident@gmail.com @nevakhan

VICE PRESIDENT Madison Nguyen lrhskcvicepresident@gmail.com @madisongvyen

SECRETARY Saman Saiforoyai lrhskcsecretary@gmail.com @saman.saiforoayai

EDITOR Zoe Leddy lrhskceditor@gmail.com @zoe_mael

WEBMASTER Chris Do lrhskcwebmaster@gmail.com @chrissdo

TREASURER John Dunlap lrhskctreasurer@gmail.com @j.dunlap_

HOURS COORDINATOR Kaitlyn Nguyen lrhskchoursr@gmail.com

SERVICE COORDINATOR Michaela McClendon lrhskcservicer@gmail.com @michaela.mcclendon

SOCIAL COORDINATOR Logan Clark lrhskcsocial@gmail.com

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ABRAHAM MEDINA (682) 702-8371 | ltg39s@tokeyclub.com @to39s22-23 (Division 39S only)

39S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

REGIONAL ADVISOR

LETICIA ESPARZA region7@tokeyclub.com

REGIONAL + DIVISIONAL STAFF 21

stay connected

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Check out our Website!

@lrhs.keyclub

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