December 2019 Newsletter

December 2019 | Vol 19, Issue 8

SEASON OF JOY

Key Club International | CNH District | Region 3 Division 30 South | Oxford Academy Key Club

TABLE TABLE OF OF CONTENTS CONTENTS

GI FALL RALLY SOUTH 7-10 EDITOR’S NOTE 4

1

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

CORNUCOPIA

3

5-6

5K RUN

CONTACT INFO 16 THANKS FOR READING

IVING THANKS

:)

13-14

DECEMBER CALENDER NOVEMBER DCM

15

11-12

2

PRESIDENT’S CORNER Season of Giving With the approaching Christmas season, I encourage all members to volunteer and take this opportunity to serve their community. Despite the approaching finals week, weekends are always a good chance to take a break from studying to relax and serve your community. Go out to events you truly enjoy such as HOPE Food Distribution, make Christmas cards at our different volunteer events, and just have a spirit of giving towards all those around you.

I love attending HOPE Food Distribution during the Christmas season because there is always more to give out and everyone wears Santa hats. Christmas card making is a very easy way to show your appreciation to those who serve the community. It’s a great service project for socials where members can hang out casually while doing something for the community.

Finally, remember to give to those around you. Every year, my parents make it a priority to make a donation to a local organization. This year, we donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Cypress. I encourage everyone to make a donation or give presents to the people around you. Let them know how much you appreciate having them in your life!

Happy Holidays!

Tobi Yao OAKC President

3

EDITOR’S NOTE December…

Well, it’s finally December, and you know what that means!: hot chocolate, cookies, colorful lights, friends, family, finals, stress, studying, lack of sleep, a strong reliance on caffeine….. Yup, December has it all. Fortunately, December also means the end of the first semester and two long weeks of a well deserved break!

This month, I’m wishing all of you very happy holidays and As in all your classes. I hope you enjoy this last push before entering an entire new decade (woah!!!!), and I also want to thank all of you for reading these newsletters and staying involved in OAKC! My present to you is a short editor’s note so you can get to the other articles quicker hehe. Enjoy!

Natalie Melendez OAKC Bulletin Editor

4

CORNUCOPIA

Lydia Lee | 10

During Thanksgiving Break, I decided to attend started at 7 in the morning until 12 in the afterno folding t-shirts, my friend and I helped pass out

Later, we got kicked out of the t-shirt station an run. We paired up and were placed at each sta

As the runners passed by, our job was to just going the right way. My partner, Tiffany, and I s 3� prior to cheering in order to match our timing

Overall, it was rather fun cheering others on an ive comment from us truly made it better. Even numb, being supportive of others was a fun exp

After the race, the event coordinators offere talked and ate bananas, it was soon discovered our consumption.

Volunteering at runs is usually fun and this run volunteering events that require more physical laxing atmosphere.

5

A 5K RUN

0 | Historian

d Cornucopia 5K Run, an annual event that oon. After blowing balloons for an arch and t-shirts.

nd were scattered around the course of the ation to help cheer on the runners.

cheer them on and ensure that they were synchronized our cheering by saying “1, 2, g.

nd to see the runners smile after a supportn if the weather was cold and our toes were perience.

ed us leftover bananas and chips. As we d that the chips were expired which limited

was no exception. I look forward to future l work, in this case: walking, but a more re-

6

FALL RALLY SEPTEMBER DCM: FALL RALLY Color Fest

Tiffany Ong | 10 | Historian

The annual Fall Rally South was on the 9th of November this month, and it was the second one that I attended. I had so much fun cheering, riding on kid rides, meeting people from other divisions, and so much more! It was truly a fun-filled day that is unforgettable.

Helen Tran | 11 | Project Chair

Waking up at 4:30 in the morning was really difficult for me, but it was worth it because it “There’s where used Lance’s camera to recgave me more timepowder to have in fun places throughout the ing restand of the day!

Honestly, the day passed thereand shouldn’t powder.” a couple different of by so quickly, I reallybe wish it would’ve lastedord longer!

We arrived at Sixmoments Flags at around - Jennifer Vo, for Oxford Academy DCM. 8:30, and waited in line around an hourKey andthe a half, just to get into the park! Then we Club Vice President didn't have any time to even get food, so we headed straight to the Golden Bear Theater Eventually, when all divisions got tofor the spirit rally.

September DCM was such a memo- gether for the final Color Fest, Kenny rable enjoyable andby I joined the were crowd and got powThe spirit rally wasand so much fun, andexperience! time really flew when we there.

I was actually Although I arrived to the DCM, I deras allloud overas ourselves.

As messy ashappy it surprised that I memorized alllate the cheers.

I cheered I could, and I was so really made the We most of the it and it wastoo, funso tothat be makes able toitsee that we got the spirit stick!! got spirittime stickwas, last year, two ayears flew by so quickly.

Standing by the mix of different colors (representing in a row! Hopefully we can win it again next year! After the spirit rally, I was starving bebobaate fundraiser was a huge theto different divisons) be with cause I barely anything(which that morning.

We went a restaurant andand just to stood in a line. success shoutout to Grace <3), Kenpeople who radiated the same posiWe weren’t sure what kind of food we were waiting in line for, but eventually found out that ny and watched the tive energy back. it was Mexican foodI :)innocently yay! participants of the Color Fest get demolished in an powder.

Asfood soonand as eating, Ali DCM’s are such unique Key Clubto go After waiting in line for hour for we rested for a a bit and decided offered us some free yellow powder, event & never fail to disappoint! on some rides. The first ride we went on was really fun and it wasn’t scary at all. WeI also that we had to get30 the one They highlyasked encourage to come met a few we Keyknew Clubbers from Division North. us howeveryone we felt while we were and only Tobi Yao. We weren’t even out to the DCM’s.

I remember feeling swinging up in the air, which was really funny. Then, we went on a different ride, and cointhegoing appropriate attireride. andWhile intimidated andagain, overwhelmed about cidentally,wearing they were on the same in the air, they asked us how didn’t have our medical form as the first DCM I went to because there we felt so we were cheering on the release ride as loud we could. signed, so we snuck into the field ar- were so many people present, but I ea and attacked Tobi for at kids, the promise that both everyone is very INCLUWe also went on 2 both mini roller coasters which were still really scary for me. time.scary, We successfully and LOVING! The turnoutI get of this They didn’tsame look too but the ridescaught actuallySIVE went super fast. Obviously, scared her off guard and I wish someone DCM really opened my eyes to the really easily by rides. Anyway, after we rode on the rides, we decided to take a break and recorded that moment.

Love you and of to Key Clubwe all wanted dippin’ dots.

There wasn’t tooMs. longdedication of a line, so wepassion decided wait.

But we President <3 bers, which makes me even more had to wait for an entire HOUR. The line went so slowly, but we waited anyway. But when p u monly ped o r F Aand L L vanilla RALLY ! we got to the front of the line, they told us that they had fbrownie dippin’ For the rest of the Color Fest, Kenny #notsponsored But in all seriousness, dots. I don’t like chocolate, so I got vanilla. But it tasted so plain :( The good thing is and ended was up sneaking trulyup amazing to see different divithough, that theI cashier really nicearound and heit’sfilled all of our water bottles, which we were historians sions be able to get together and added up and to fivepretending bottles. so that we would fit in and could at- form connections with Key Club at tack people with a powder without be- the center. can’t wait for thethat funAYEE Overall, Fall Rally was such memorable experience, and I’ll Ialways remember coming WE GOT THAT SPIRIT victims.

STICK!! We observed the memories that future DCM’s will various activities that were happen- bring.

11 7

SOUTH

Y SOUTH Claire Lee | 10 | Publicist On November 9, we had one of CNH’s biggest events of the year- Fall Rally South! Being this year as my first time experiencing this event, I was beyond excited of what events were going to occur. Ever since I joined Key Club back in 2018, everyone around me constantly kept hyping up Fall Rally, so my expectations were pretty high. However, I was stressed because I knew I had to get back to Anaheim by 6PM in order to be on time for my choir show. This also helped me promise myself to spend the 7 hours I had without any regrets and cheer my voice out. Ion addition, believed in our division that we were going to win the spirit stick the second time in a row, but I knew each individual had to cheer to the best of our abilities to make that happen.

As soon as we got to Six Flags Magic Mountain, I was overwhelmed by how many Key Club members there were from all over the CNH, and it seemed so surreal to understand that there were that many Key Clubbers that are dedicated enough to come out all the way from their counties and participate in trying to win the spirit battles.

After snapping out of my thoughts, I suddenly got the urge to meet other Key Club members from different regions. I automatically noticed the Ninjas from Division 13 South and the Bunnies from Division 19 South, since they were also big divisions as Division 30 South.

Our division was able to get good seats at the Golden Bear Theatre, which was where our main spirit session was taking place. I instantly noticed how big our division was, and it made me feel safe that there were a lot of us. Winning the spirit stick was a whole different experience for me, since it was my first spirit battle. The roar of cheer around me when Division 30 South was called was unbelievable, and for the first time I felt so connected with my division. It was an amazing experience, to be able to be passionate about something with more than 1,000 different individuals.

Fall Rally South was an experience where I was able to realize how big our family really was, and we will win the spirit stick next year too, so watch out region 3!

James Nguyen | 11 | Historian The main event of this month was, SPIRIT NIGHT 4!!! (In preparation for the side-event Fall Rally) The division me up once again to scream cheers at seemingly nothingness to warm up for the next day. This time it was held at Katella High School’s gym where boba and Joe’s Italian Ice Cream was sold. Who’s Joe you may ask? To which I reply; Joe Momma.

This spirit Night was one filled with, well, lots of spirit and hype for Fall Rally We went over the different rounds in preparation for the high anticipated spirit session! There are three rounds and we had about 3-4 cheers per round. Some cheers were classic like the Sun’s Grunt, and some cheers were new like SUN BAMBA. Throughout the night we screamed our lungs out and got very familiar with all the cheers, we were ready to win that spirit stick. Overall, it was a great last hype-up for Fall Rally and the whole division was beaming with spirit.

8

Jacquelyn Nguyen | 10 | Publicist I still can’t believe that our division, D30S, won the spirit stick at Fall Rally South this year!!! We won the spirit stick twice now, since last year we also won the spirit stick!

D04N’s cheers were so well done, as not only were they a large division like us, their cheers were loud and clear!

Our sister division, D30N, was also extremely spirited, but they were unfortunately a smaller group compared to other divisions present. D04W was also a large division like us and D04N, and all three of us were in the final round together. It was so fun to simply yell out our cheers as loud as we could against other divisions Getting to see all the LTGs of Region 3 standing on the Golden Bear Theatre was surreal.

It was a real treat to see how our division “bought” so many LTGs during the auction. I believe we battled against D04N several times in buying Ali and their LTG, William; with us eventually win-

ning Ali for several thousand dollars! The auction would occur between rounds, which I was thankful for as I could drink water to rest my throat from shouting. At one point, we also saw Bugs Bunny on stage, where we all shouted our cheers so loudly that I think we scared the poor person inside the suit.

Seeing other divisions outside of Region 3 was so cool! I saw lots of divisions from Region 8, including D19S, D13S, and D13N. While walking around to go on rides, my group was asked “How do you feel?” by a small child! I was so shocked that I didn’t say anything at first, so the child had to ask us again for us to respond back. I felt bad, but I was caught so off guard as I couldn’t believe other people besides Key Club members would acknowledge us. All in all, Fall Rally South 2019 was such a fun event, and I’ll definitely be going to next year’s FRS.

Timmy Bui | 11 | I was extremely excited for Fall Rally this year coming into it, especially since I've already had one behind me. It was certainly my favorite event last year, so I was anxious to see if it would be the same case this year.

Arriving at Six Flags, I was a little disappointed that we didn't have any time to go on the amusement park rides until after our spirit session. However, the spirit session itself was one of the hypest moments of the year for me. Now that I was an experienced officer that knew about Key Club more, I was more interested in what the district executives were talking about. I was genuinely so proud of the work that our members and our division as a whole put in. We had over $15,000 for PTP, the most of any division by far, and it allowed us to win over so many district board members in the fun auction.

Swarming the stadium were masses of colors from each division. During the competition cheers, I screamed so

9

Secretary loud. Division 4 North next to us was so intimidating in numbers and volume, but this only made me more motivated to beat them. I was thrilled when Division 30 South was announced the winner for a second year straight, asserting our dominance even more than already.

Outside of the session, it was a blast having fun with my friends. I went around the park with 7 of my brethren, assembling a squad ready to take down even the toughest rides, ready to become free like wild young boys again. The only regrets I had at this year's Fall Rally South was not having enough time to accomplish them all.

Going home was a little bittersweet, but the bus ride home was still a great time when Richard started whispering veteran cheers in my ear and I followed along. On the way home, I became more inspired to work harder for my division so that I can continue on the legacy that we have left these past two years.

Tobi Yao | 11 | President Third year of Fall Rally done.

And only one year left : ((( Overall, Fall Rally 2019 was an amazing experience and reminded me why Fall Rally is one of my favorite events of the year.

Division 30 South has so many accomplishments they should be proud of. $15,000 raised for PTP! As the auctions were going on, all the other divisions were expecting us to stop bidding, but we continued to win district executives. 5!

That’s more than we have ever won in my past years of attendance. It was tense for every auction battle, especially when we were trying to win the LTG of 4 North.

The bids kept increasing slightly until the EAs of 4 North finally stopped. Everyone erupted in cheers.

We got spirit yes we do! We got spirit how bout’ you! This year, I participated in lots of spirit battles, some of which I lead or even initiated. It’s exhilarating to plan out what cheer we are going to do next, and since I’ve been to the last 3 years of Fall Rally, my bank of cheers to choose from is very large. We were also able to win the spirit stick for the second year. I was afraid that we would not be able to compare to the other divisions that were larger, but our cheers were the most well rehearsed. When our division was announced as the winner, everyone cheered as loud as possible. I never thought I’d see a group of 200 people cheering uwu all together.

10 10

NOVEMBER DCM/ DCM/ NOVEMBER Victoria Truong | 10 | Tech Chair

Kenny Le | 11 | Project Chair A lot of the articles in this newsletter are going to be about Fall Rally South. Mine is too! This DCM was mainly about prep for Fall Rally South. Our fantastic Spirit Team drilled a round of cheers into all the participants. Truthfully, by the end of the DCM I was sick of repeating cheers. But my feelings really don’t matter. I feel like the number one reason we did so well at Fall Rally South was because of the repetitions. We repeated the cheers to the extent that it was thoroughly engrained in our memories. However, aside from repeating cheers, this DCM was very special to me. I woke up from a nap an hour beforehand, wore my glasses put on some clothes and drove to get to the DCM. As Jennifer, our amazing VP and EA, was describing the officer of the month, the people around me figured out who she was talking about way earlier than I did. Getting Officer of the Month will absolutely be engrained in my memory as a top five Key Club highlight reel moment.

11

Winter season is starting to really kick in with the shock Key-Clubbers from being active within our service comm enthusiastic service through the crazy rain and wind. Fo ing and important event that involves every single Key lot of preparation put into just this one event, which is...F cap video for FRS, it’s pretty obvious to see how amazing ter and better, not to mention that our Divisions, D30S, wo

Anyways, today’s article won’t be about FRS itself, unlik it’ll be about my experience at my first Spirit Night, wh third Spirit Night before FRS. If you didn’t go to FRS this kidding, but here’s a basic summary of the purpose of Sp

Each Spirit Night has a different theme that ranges from Clubbers, including those who are non- Fall Rally attend and it’s mandatory for FRS attendees to go to at least thr Key-Clubbers build up a hyped spirit by learning and m in order to increase chances of winning the spirit stick fo

Spirit Night #3 took place on November 2nd from 3-6p tendees learned the cheers for Round 3, which was on tion, and one thing that definitely stood out to me was t from yelling so loud and for so long. It was an interesting can just manage to be that loud and consistent with pro

After some much needed practice and struggles with la in Spirit Battles against another group and it was fun watching each other yell o though, this activity was a chance for us to display our second in order to stay in sync with each other, so it wa successful victory of the spirit stick.

Some of the FRS members who were selected to be o Don’ts of Fall Rally, which included the expected attire Since our Division mascot is the sun, it’s expected and h if not all yellow from head to toe, which means yellow h and even Crocs, or any shoes that are yellow. Spirit stic adds to the powerful vibe of your Division. Sadly, the na gram handle are prohibited at Six Flags, but that didn’t s the other Key-Clubbers of Region 3.

Even though I didn’t attend Fall Rally this year, seeing h event and the excitement of all the FRS attendees goin the hang of the cheers better after participating in the re

/SPIRIT NIGHT NIGHT 3 3 /SPIRIT

kingly early cold weather, but that doesn’t stop our fellow munity. No matter the weather, our suns will shine with our or the month of November, there was one extremely excitClub in Region 3 with all seven Divisions, and there was a Fall Rally South! By the looks of the hyped faces in the reg and memorable this event is and every year, it gets beton the spirit stick two years in a row!

ke several other articles you might come across. Instead, hich also happened to be November DCM as well as the year or attend any Spirit Nights, then shame on you! Just pirit Nights.

m the Olympics to Halloween and they’re open to all Keydees. There’s one each week in the four weeks prior to FRS ree out of four Spirit Nights because they’re meant to help memorizing spirit cheers for the Fall Rally Spirit Competition or your Division.

pm at Central Park in La Palma. At this month’s DCM, ate of the later sections of cheers to learn for the competithe length of this one cheer that got my head going dizzy g experience and I was impressed with how some people ojecting their voice for a long cheer.

ast-minute memorization, the DCM attendees participated

our hearts out to the catchy spirit cheers. Most importantly r crazy spirit and get all the words and beats down to the as really just more practice for everyone to work towards a

on the spirit-coordinating team also went over the Do’s & and things that were no longer allowed at the big event. highly encouraged for all FRS attendees to wear as much, headbands, bandannas, Division shirts, tutus, socks, pants, cks are also a good thing to create and bring along as it ame tags that were worn in previous years with the Instastop anyone from socializing and making new friends with

how much spirit-building that’s put into preparation for the ng makes me want to go next year, and hopefully I’ll get est of the Spirit Nights .

Grace Nguyen |11|Treasurer This month’s DCM was on Saturday November 2nd at Central Park in La Palma. It was a lot earlier than usual since it was also a spirit night for Fall Rally South.

Right after the HOPE Food Distribution, I walked over to the La Palma Library so I could do some studying before the DCM. I got really hungry waiting, so I walked around the neighborhood looking for food. I ended up being late to the DCM as a result, but at least I got boba and teriyaki chicken!

We started off the event with our DCM. Congrats to Kenny for getting Officer of the Month!!! Oxfordg got 3rd Shining Club of the month! Yay! :DD After the DCM, we shifted to our spirit night where we learned new cheers for Fall Rally South and cheered our hearts out. Overall it was an great event and all the division shirts sold out!

12

GIVING TH GIVING T TURKEY TROT: Giang Nguyen | 11 | Historian November was an exciting month for Key Club. I could go on about Fall Rally South, but there were some other great events that came up as well. On top of that, the week of Thanksgiving gave me a much-needed break from school and more time to do other things (like volunteering!). For example, right on Thanksgiving was the Turkey Trot 5K, which will definitely go down as one of the most memorable events in my Key Club career.

The Turkey Trot 5K took place around the Angels Stadium in Anaheim in the theme of Thanksgiving. Although the event was actually split into two days, the second day was where most of it happened because it was the day of the race. A couple days before, an email was sent out to the volunteers saying that the race was still on despite rainy weather. I didn’t think much about it, considering that a little rain wouldn’t be all that bad. Oof, I was so wrong.

It was six in the morning when the volunteers showed up at the event and there was a small drizzle. Everyone was geared up with ponchos, so the rain didn’t bother us so far.

Over the next couple hours, however, the weather began to escalate, and the drizzle

became a downpour. Suddenly, gales were blowing over the tents and knocking equipment to the ground. I watched a case full of muffins and pastries fall to the ground and break open, ruining all of its delicious contents. The temperature was at a frigid 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and the Key Clubbers were forced to huddle around a hot pancake griddle for warmth. When the griddle was busy, we packed together like sardines to conserve body heat.

What really shocked me the most was that the runners actually showed up. Not just a few, but about a hundred or so. I couldn’t imagine what was going through their heads for them to look out the window and say, “Yep, this is the perfect weather for running.” Still, I had a lot of respect for those mad lads.

Despite the abysmal weather, it was still an exciting event. We ate pumpkin spice pancakes, listened to an opera singer nail American anthems, got medals without even running, and cheered on the real runners with our lovely cowbells and a banana mascot. I couldn’t feel my fingers or toes, but given the chance I would probably do it again. Maybe without Hurricane Katrina, though.

KIWANISGIVING: Jennifer Vo | 11 | VP On Tuesday, I attended a Kiwanisgiving hosted by Whitney and Kennedy Key Club. We played a short game of tivia (which I KILLED), some icebreakers, and then painted some pots. I was really impressed by the work and time that went into the event. The members made cards for ALL 30-something members of the Anaheim Kiwanis Key Club and made little posters and gifts to appreciate certain

13

Kiwanians. I have a lot of respect for Lauren and Rawnie, who arranged the event, and I could imagine that a Kiwanis liaison isn’t an easy job. The best part is that I was able to bond with some Kiwanians that aren’t even part of my club, and I noticed that some of them were so happy to be interacting with Key Club members. Might take some notes for OAKC ;))

HANKS THANKS TURKEY TROT: Natalie Melendez | 12 | Bulletin Editor The Turkey Trot 5k was an incredibly memorable event, to say the least. It all started out with the pre-race event, in which volunteers were meant to organize the runners’ bibs.

When we all showed up, we were surprised to find the event was over! We’d been given the wrong times, so all that was left to do was help clean up.

The actual run took place on Thanksgiving morning, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a rainier day in Southern California. It was freezing, and the start line inflatable kept fly-

ing away, but I had a great time! Yes I could barely move my hands and yes a large puddle of water formed around my feet, but as a rainy weather enthusiast, I enjoyed the event. I helped out at the registration booth and afterwards helped clean up – all while the sky continued to fall.

Even though I couldn’t wake up in the morning and even though it took several hours for me to reach full warmth after leaving the event, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend my Thanksgiving morning any other way.

THANKFUL: Helen Tran | 11 | Project Chair Key Club has changed my life. Yes, a bold statement, but I stand by it. From awkwardly standing alone at Key Club events as a freshman to cheering my heart out at FRS 2019 as a junior, Key Club has transformed me as an individual. The organization itself provides me with endless opportunities and endless memories. I don’t mean to throw shade, but those who aren’t in Key Club are truly missing out.

could serve my community.

When I first joined Key Club, I only saw it as a chance to go out and collect the volunteer hours. Little did I know that there was so much more than numbers adding up. Instead of seeing it as a laborous chore, I genuinely enjoyed the tasks at each event. I discovered the endless, unique ways that I

Key Club is more than just a club for serving hours or serving the community. It encompasses so much more than that. I would suggest joining to figure out the “hype” around our sunny, loving club. #shamelessselfpromo Snatch those hours while making the most of your experience!

The networking from each event is definitely one of my favorite things about Key Club events. I love to not only meet new students, but to connect with adults in the community.

I’ve had many entertaining conversations with the adults who are grateful to Key Club for providing volunteers and for being such dedicated individuals.

14

14 CONCLAVE

21

HOPE BOXING

HOLIDAY BRUNCH

PANCAKE BFAST FOOD PACKING

15 HOLIDAY BRUNCH

29

21

ROSE FLOAT

HOLIDAY BRUNCH

DECORATING

24 HOLIDAY BRUNCH

15

C O N T A C T

PRESIDENT | Tobi Yao tcyao2003@gmail.com VICE PRESIDENT | Jennifer Vo vojenniferv@gmail.com TREASURER | Grace Nguyen 12GNguyen22@gmail.com SECRETARY | Timmy Bui bu1timmybu1@gmail.com BULLETIN EDITOR | Natalie Melendez natalie.melendez@outlook.com TECH CHAIR | Victoria Truong victoriantruong@gmail.com PROJECT CHAIR | Kenny Le Kennl_l@outlook.com PROJECT CHAIR | Helen Tran helentran952@gmail.com HISTORIAN | Lydia Lee LHLee017@gmail.com HISTORIAN | Giang Nguyen giangadonrawr@gmail.com HISTORIAN | James Nguyen verll123@hotmail.com

U S

@oakeyclub

HISTORIAN | Tiffany Ong ongtiffy@gmail.com

Oxford Academy Key Club

PUBLICIST | Claire Lee 0128jil@gmail.com PUBLICIST | Jacquelyn Nguyen bwama123@gmail.com

16

SEE YOU NEXT TIME...