March 2020 Newsletter

March 2020 | Vol 19, Issue 11

THE END OF AN ERA

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

TABLE TABLE OF OF CONTENTS CONTENTS

E

FEBRUARY DCM 5-6 EDITOR’S NOTE 4

1

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

END OF TERM

3

7-8

PART 1

END OF TERM PART 4 13-14 CALENDAR

END OF TERM

& INFO

PART 3

17-18

11-12

OAKC SCRAPBOOK 15-16 END OF TERM PART 2 9-10

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER ONE LAST TIME Hello OAKC! It has been an honor to serve you as president during the 2019-2020 term. It still feels like I am a sophomore ready to become president of the largest club in Division 30 South, but in reality, I retire in less than a week.

During the 2019-2020 term, Oxford Academy Key Club has surpassed its goals in service, fundraising, and membership. We have been recognized as one of the top three shining clubs each month. Thank you for working with me in all of these aspects. Although I may be the president of the club, it is the hard work of the members in the club that I serve that has brought us to such heights.

My Key Club journey is not over, but I would like to recognize our only senior on board, Natalie Melendez, for her dedication over the last couple of years. I know you’re going to do great at NYU! Thank you for working hard on all of the newsletters this year; I love you! In addition, I would like to thank my executive and appointed board. You guys have been the best officers I could ever ask for, and I’m so glad we were able to grow closer this year.

Shining with service,

Tobi Yao OAKC President

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EDITOR’S NOTE GOODBYE, KEY CLUB The much dreaded moment is finally here: the end of my Key Club career and my final newsletter.

I feel as if these last four years went by in the blink of an eye. It’s like it was only yesterday that I was a shy little freshman with absolutely no idea what Key Club was. And now here I am, a senior about to graduate and leave OAKC behind.

It’s all very bittersweet, really. On the one hand, I can’t wait to enter the next phase of my life, to head out to college and become well versed un the language of adulthood. On the other hand, though, I feel like I’m just not quite ready to leave high school and everyone I’ve known for the past 6ish years behind. I’ll miss the certainty of knowing what to expect every day—even periods on Tuesdays/Thursdays, odd periods on Wednesdays/Fridays, and all periods on Monday—and, most of all, I’ll the security of having all my close friends around me every day. But change is part of growing up, and eventually I’ll form new routines, meet new people, and high school will become a memory.

Though it’s hard, I guess it’s time for me to say goodbye. Goodbye, OAKC. I know that you and the newsletter are in good hands, and I’m excited for all of the new board members to experience the joy of being part of this ever-growing family.

For the last time, thanks for reading :)

Natalie Melendez OAKC Bulletin Editor

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FEBRUAR Victoria Truong | 10 | Tech Chair Hey Key-clubbers, can you believe it’s already been nearly a year since I first wrote an article for the 2019-2020 term? This term is almost over and we’ve accomplished so much as a club, as a division, and as a district. All those events I’ve shown up at and all the new friends I’ve made through volunteering were experiences that I could never forget. Even though I’m sad about the term ending after it flew by so soon, I can’t wait to see what next year’s term will bring for our club and division. There will certainly be more memories to make for all you Sunshines and the future of our Key Club members is looking bright in the hands of the new OAKC board members!

Hopefully, some of you were able to attend the very last DCM of the term that was held on Leap Day this year! If you didn’t come out, make sure to come out to next month’s DCM, the very first one for the 2020-2021 term! For my last article, I chose to write about February DCM: Love is in the Air, so that those of you who did not attend will be able to see for yourself what you missed out on. Just kidding, let’s get right on to business.

Since Valentine’s Day just occurred recently, the last DCM was based on the annual holiday and the schedule for the day included opportunities to participate in various games and activities such as Speed Dating, a Marriage Booth, a Love Box, and a service project where Chemo Kits were made. Taking place at Modjeska Park on a breezy Saturday, February 29th, from 2-5pm, the Division Council Meeting also required a donation of $2, but specific donations were also included in the RSVP description for those who wished to further contribute to the materials to be used for the Chemo Kits.

The Chemo Kits would be donated to children going through chemotherapy and radiation at a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. Additionally, there was a raffle open to all attendees to potentially win a giant teddy bear, and trust me, that thing was huge! Anyways, back to the agenda.

At the beginning of the DCM, our LTG Ali Al-Saleem started off with the actual agenda for the meeting for the last time, as our new LTG-elect, Jennifer Vo would be taking over the next term. It might’ve just been me, but it seemed like there were more attendees than usual for just our division alone. Then, we played an icebreaker where we got into groups of whatever number Ali called out, and at the end of this activity, our groups were formed for Speed Dating.

Before today, I had no idea what Speed Dating was, so thanks to the DCM I learned how to play this relatively simple game; basically, you get in a large group that splits into two circles, one within the other. Each circle/ring spins and then stops, and whoever is across from you is your new partner to introduce yourself to.

The Marriage Booth, which was featured at a previous DCM, is a fun activity that, like the name suggests, allows you to get married to anyone you want (as long as they consent to it as well).

There was even a certificate provided for proof that you got married at February DCM!

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RY DCM Lastly, the Love Box was actually an activity that I didn’t witness, but I’d assume it was about the auction of five Key-Clubbers that turned out to be an interesting event to watch.

At last, the end of February DCM arrived too soon and it was time to leave my last DCM of the term as an officer. I couldn’t ask for a better way to finish off the 2019-2020 term, but hopefully, I’ll be returning to future Key Club events as a general member. I’d better see even more KeyClubbers coming out to events next term too!

Jennifer Vo | 11 | Vice President Hi OAKC, I just wanted to apologize for the awful and last minute articles I’ve been writing all year. I am not a good writer. I would tell you about my rhetorical analysis grade as evidence but I’m too embarrassed. Hashtag vibes.

Anyways February DCM was kind of stressful but in the end it was ok. I had a lot of chocolates and now my stomach hurts. But they were free and I love free stuff.

Jacquelyn Nguyen | 10 | Publicist Happy last article of the 2019-2020 term!!! This entire year has been a wild trip from start to finish, and I can say with certainty that I truly ended the 10s decade and began the 20s decade with high Key Club spirit! Although this term ended a month earlier than previous terms, I feel like both our club and our division managed to work hard and reached all of our goals.

To be frank, I was somewhat bummed that our last DCM of this term got postponed to a later date, but thankfully this year’s a leap year, so our DCM was still on a February day (albeit the very last day of the month). Like all other DCMs that I’ve attended, I arrived at Modjeska Park at 2:00 PM on the dot. Unfortunately, I was rushing on my way there, and I left my wallet at home.

Luckily, a friend covered the $2 admission fee for me. There were many people present, understandably so since it was the last DCM of this term, but because there was such a huge crowd, I could feel the LTG and EAs have a hard time managing everyone. It was already bad enough that the microphone was dead, so Ali had to practically shout to be heard. Looking past the negatives though, the giant Teddy bear was exciting to see IRL. Honestly, I couldn’t imagine getting that thing in a car, let alone managing to drag it out to the park. I left the DCM early, so I didn’t see who won the bear, but I hope that they had help to get the bear to their respective form of transportation.

With the end of a term comes an end to this year’s board; however, I’m looking forward to teaching the new publicists on how to manage our club’s Instagram and Facebook pages. It’s so weird that I’m the teacher because I’m used to being the learner, but overall I’m ready to guide the new 2020-2021 publicists!!

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END END END END END END

OF OF OF OF OF OF

TERM TERM TERM TERM TERM TERM

James Nguyen | 11 | Historian This month wraps up the last month in the 2019 -2020 term! It has been one eventful year filled with service projects, socials, and new bonds.

We are getting ready for the new term which sees new faces on board and DLT as well as some old ones. Hopefully the underclassmen stay involved as they are the future of this club.

only because the rain decided to be indecisive last week. This year held many memories and another spirit stick win for Fall Rally South.

We raised countless funds and served countless hours throughout the term, finishing strong. There is still DCON to look forward to so get stoked for that as it is only 2 weeks away.

Overall this term was one for the books and hopefully next year will be even better. See We closed this month on the 29th, a leap year, you next term key clubbers, serve on!

Kenny Le | 11 | Project Chair It's crazy that this is my last article for this term.

Everything happened so quickly. From not knowing where Brianna Ong was for my training to now having to train HER SISTER TIFFANY ONG that's insane. I'm not gonna make this long. I'm sure everyone has good things to say. I'm so excited for next term. My last year at Oxford. I'm going to be a senior now yikes

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what happened to when I was a scared seventh grader who didn't know how to pronounce Mrs. Stephan. So many short-term memories HAHAHAHAHAHA get it because this term is short next year it is going to be LONG-TERM MEMORies because it is 13 months hahahaha.

Helen Tran | 11| Project Chair All I can say is: “Wow, what a term.” The 20192020 term flew by in the blink of an eye. And it’s been the greatest term yet. To our beloved LTG as well as the brightest division out there, thank you for bringing out the most spirited and passionate version of myself. T our loving President Tobi Yao, thank you for guiding our club to higher achievements and for being the best club mom ever. To my OUTSTANDING partner, Kenny Le, thank you for supporting me and filling my term with everlasting memories. To Oxford Academy Key Club, thank you for showing me what it means to be a true key clubber and for opening up your hearts.

This term was my first time serving as an officer. Being project chair has had its failures and successes, but I’ve definitely learned a lot along the journey and these lessons have contributed to my growth as both an individual and a leader within OAKC. From the most boring events to the most exciting events, our club has seen it all. The feedback received

from each event plays a major role in letting me know how I’ve done as a project chair.

It’s very bittersweet to think that Kenny and I will no longer be working together as partners for the next term. However, project chair has taught me many valuable lessons that I plan to carry on to next term. I can’t wait to see what Kenny will accomplish as VP alongside Timmy. A truly iconic duo. With the end of the term quickly approaching, it feels a bit strange to think that Tobi and Jennifer will no longer be leading the board and general meetings for our club. However, I know that they’re both moving on to accomplishing even bigger and better things; I can’t wait to see it all happen.

It’s been amazing serving as your project chair, and I can’t wait to continue my journey within this lifechanging club. To whoever may be reading this, thank you for your dedication to OAKC and I hope that I can help play a role in making your 2020-2021 term an even greater one.

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Claire Lee | 10 | Publicist This February was a little more special to me than the rest because it was the last month I was able to serve as club publicist for the 2019-2020 term. Wrapping up this spectacular and eventful experience for me, it was my very first year being able to serve as any club board member, so I had no chance but to be a little nervous. I have continuously doubted myself that I wouldn’t be good enough, but I knew I couldn’t let my partner down. I loved the fact that I was able to provide for the club that I loved with my entire heart in my way other than just attending

meetings and volunteer events. From our trip to The Broad to our Christmas party, our board members have really went through a lot. I will always remember the chaotic karaoke session during our Christmas party, when all of us were able to bond as a family, not just a club during the weekdays. During that session, I knew that this was the family I didn’t want to lose. I saddens me that this term is coming to an end, but everything happens for a reason. I hope the 2020-2021 board also has beautiful members that are able to bond together so well and so beautifully.

Lydia Lee | 10 | Historian I’m never being a historian ever again. Maybe it was having to take pictures for Key Club and ASB that killed any passion I had for photography. Who knows? I still remember the first few events when I excitedly took hundreds of pictures at each event.

But not anymore. :) Times are changing and so are we. We’re growing a bit older, year by year, and this is my last article as a historian.

I’m excited to write emails to the new officers and get a good look at the MRF, but this too, will change.

These last few weeks of being a historian are truly some to remember. I’ve had a few workdays with the others to work on our scrapbook for DCON and it’s turning out pretty well, regardless of how late we end, these all become memories. Strange how I’ll never have an experience like this ever again.

Key Club is really different from any other club or organization. It creates bonds that makes you comfortable to barge into other people’s houses, or ride their cars at 10PM, or text at 3 in the morning. Maybe we’re just all really good friends. But Key Club is the true reason behind these friendships.

I’m so glad and blessed to have had the opportunity to serve as an officer this past term and am even more excited for the upcoming one. Who knows what’s in store for me and the newbie officers?

It really feels like I just went to HOPE Food and said hi to every random person whose name I knew. (And got judged harshly as some weird girl who’s acting like she knows them) But 1.5 years have passed since then and every single little action I’ve made has built up to this day: Writing this article an hour before Timmy scolds me for being late.

Most of the time, I feel pretty tired or sleepy or just drowsy. Maybe I’ll feel sick or angry or irritated. There will be many bad days and moments in my Key Club journey but just the fact that I’m still here proves that I feel good.

Oh, I feel so good. I feel good all of the time.

Abooga Abooga Abooga Booga Booga!

One final thing to say because I hope that the bulletin editor in the very least reads these articles. Natalie, I’m extremely proud of how hard you work on every single newsletter. As sad as I am that this will be your last, I’m so proud of you and know that you’ll do amazing at NYU! So have fun with this last newsletter and we’ll miss you grandma! <3

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Natalie Melendez | 12 | Bulletin Editor Well, it’s finally here, the end of my Key Club journey. I can’t believe it’s been 4 years already! There’s so much I could say, but I don’t exactly feel like crying right now, so I’ll keep it short.

When I first joined Key Club, everyone that I knew was as excited as I was about it. I attended lots of events during my freshman year and had lots of fun making memories with my friends. But as the years passed, less and less people that I knew showed up to meetings and events. And pretty soon, the class of 2020 was basically nonexistent in every Key Club related activity. What this meant for me was that I was pretty much on my own. Was it disheartening? Yes. But I never left OAKC because I felt like I had found a home. Amidst all the changes and stresses that came with navi

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gating my way through high school, Key Club was the one thing that always stayed constant, as did that rush of adrenaline that filled me up after every service event. And despite not having my friends to drag along with me to events, I met and bonded with so many new people, creating brand new long-lasting memories along the way. And if I’m being honest, I think what I’ll miss the most about Key Club is the people. It’ll be hard for me to say goodbye to our current board members, but every good thing must come to an end, and I’m glad to have spent my last year with them.

Anyways…..let me end this before it gets a little too cheesy. Thank you for all the good times (and for keeping me grounded) throughout these last 4 years, OAKC. I miss you already!

Timmy Bui | 11 | Secretary February is when the term ends. For many officers, their term may have felt so short. Working from April to February must be a blessing for them. As for me, I've been at work as secretary since February of 2019. My role as a secretary has become so second nature to me. It feels like it's become a key part of my life - every day I would just go home and think about my next secretary task to do. But the reality is that it's all about to end. It ends on Pi Day, one of my favorite days! Fun fact, I used to know 111 decimal places of Pi. That was sure a peak of my intellectual life since I had so much time to do stuff like memorize 111 random digits. But now, my life is infested by Key Club, but I don't really mind as long as it's fun!

It's funny to think that I'll be taking on an even harder role than secretary in the upcoming term. How could anything be as hard as balancing MRFs, emails, minutes, officer communication, and so much more?! As the term

ends, there'll hardly be any goodbyes. It's not like many people are leaving. We'll miss Natalie and her senior friends for sure. However, besides them, all the Oxford people will still be here. But I'll have to say goodbye to the convenience of making fun of Tobi, Jennifer, and Grace in the Board chat, and I'll even have to say goodbye to the love-hate relationship that I had with Ali Al-Saleem.

With this term comes many new windows and openings. I just feel like I'll be experiencing a truer version of myself where I can not only be an example for others but just treat myself in the best way possible. The year will demand lots of work and maybe be full of mistakes, but I just hope that I can grow from this a lot as a person. It's sad that it will be my last, and I sure wish that I was so involved in this club for longer, but my biggest focus now is growing the potential of the young members so that they can reach heights much greater than I ever will in this organization.

Giang Nguyen | 11 | Historian The end of the term is coming up in less than a month! While there are many things to look forward to, there are also a lot of things to reflect on. This term has been a huge rollercoaster as I continued to delve into the inner workings of Key Club as Oxford Academy’s club historian.

From all the different service events to the many connections I’ve made, there have been a multitude of things that contributed to my overall Key Club experience.

Taking on the role of historian was a struggle for me at the start. I was surprised at the amount of responsibilities that I had to take over as one officer. When I initially thought that the job of the historian was simply to take pictures, that quickly changed as I learned about all the articles and MRFs and video recaps and Instagram posts and Facebook uploads…you

get the point. Nonetheless, it was a fun position for me, and I enjoyed working together with my fellow board members. I wouldn’t trade that experience for any other.

As the next term approaches, I’m excited to see all my fellow friends and members going deeper into Key Club. Our new LTG elect is taking the division by storm, and the new club presidents are quite hype. Key Club board results are coming out in a few days, and I’m ecstatic to see what it’s going to look like.

It’s insane to see how much we have accomplished as a club this term. I’m proud of the results of all the work we’ve put in, and the craziness that came with it. In the end, I would say that this term has been my most active and exciting time in Key Club.

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Grace Nguyen | 11 | Treasu To think it’s already been three years. Time sure has passed by so fast. In the beginning I was a little freshman lining up during club rush, and here I am writing my very last article for our club.

In this club, I’ve had failures, but I’ve also experience countless successes. I’ve cried over heartbreaks, but I’ve made new friends. I’ve panicked under pressure, but I’ve rejoiced about my accomplishments. I’ve learned so much about myself and my peers throughout all these years.

When I first applied for board, I never knew

Tobi Yao | 11 | President I have been on OAKC board for the last two years, first as historian and then as president.

Now the term is drawing to a close, but rather than being trained for a new position, I have to wait till after DCON to apply for my position.

I am very proud of the executive board for arranging things so quickly with appointed applications. Unlike last year’s executive board, they at least have one person who was also an executive last year, so they will be able to improve upon this term’s performance.

In the last couple of weeks, the new executive

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urer what I was putting myself into. Little did my young self know this club would mean the world to me.

To my board family, I love all you guys so much. Thank you for giving me the best term possible. Thank you for baking for all my bake sales and helping me with my fundraisers.

Nothing would’ve been possible without all of you. I love you guys. A former LTG once said that when you truly love something, you got to know when to let them go. And that’s what I’m doing today. However, this is not the end. It’s just a beginning to our future. :)))

board has gone through training. The division president and vice president training was held last week and the treasurer and secretary training will be held next week. Attending the division training reminded me of when I had to do the same thing last year. The only difference was I was part of the group who was teaching and making jokes. The new officers were awkward just as I was last year, but over the next term, they will become the best of friends.

This is my last article with OAKC :,). Thank you guys for everything, I love you!

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OAKC SCR

Tiffany Ong | 10| H

This month, the historians and annual scrapbook for DCON started a little bit earlier in t throughout the entire term, so it all in one and a half months least we didn’t wait until the la

All 4 of us historians gathered hoping that we could finish th one day. We all met at Lydia’ joined us too. So there were se Lydia, me, Giang, James, Gra almost everybody came late weren’t too productive beca tracted.

For the first two hours, the only ia and me, so we couldn’t rea printed pictures. We began to for each section, which took w We aren’t exactly the fastest most the entire 2 hours just wo After that, though, Giang cam could finally start on the scrap

None of us had much of an id scrapbook to look like, so we just did some random stuff. W progress over time, and finishe out of six sections.. but at least After an entire day of working plish a lot, in my opinion. :) Al formatting pictures and he’s so

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RAPBOOK

Historian

d I began to work on the N. We probably should’ve the year, or worked on it we didn’t have to work on s. But it’s okay because at ast week or so. :)

d up one day for 8 hours, he entire scrapbook in just ’s house, and some others even people in one house: ace, Kenny, and Timmy. But e (including me) and we ause we kept getting dis-

y historians there were Lydally do anything without the o work on the cover pages way longer than expected. t workers, so we spent alorking on 6 cover pages. :’) me with the pictures so we pbook pages! :D

dea of what we wanted the sort of just winged it and I We started to make a lot of ed almost two sections! It’s t we made some progress! g, we were able to accomlso Giang is really good at o creative wowww!!

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7

19

PTSA YARD SALE

OA PHYSICS BOAT

HOPE FOOD

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REGATTA

END OF TERM OA PROM

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POOTCH MATCH

DISCOVERY CUBE:

SOON

BUBBLEFEST

MORE

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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

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THANK YOU FOR READING