OAKC Newsletter || August 2016

AUGUST 2016 | VOL 16 ISSUE 4

| STARTING FRESH |

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS

12 - 1 8-9 CONCERT ON THE GREENS

4- 5 FROM YOUR EDITOR AND PRESIDENT

August

2016 6-7 MONTHLY CALENDAR

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WRITE AND ACADEMY

OXFORD ACADEMY KEY CLUB

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JULY DCM: BE BOOMBA

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DIVISION UPDATES!

D TEACH

EACH

AUGUST DCM : SUPER SCAVENGER HUNT

14 - 15 KEY CLUB IN THE FALL

LA MIRADA REGIONAL PARK COME OUT TO THIS JOINT DCM WITH DIVISION 30 NORTH FOR THE ANNUAL SCAVENGER HUNT FROM 1 – 3 PM ON THE 27TH!

— ALSO MAKE SURE TO FILL OUT THE DCM FEEDBACK SURVEYS AFTER A DCM IF YOU HAVE THE TIME!

CLUB UPDATES! CHECK OUT THE MONTHLY CALENDAR FOR AVAILABLE EVENTS AND

16 CONTACT US!

FACEBOOK FOR CHANCES TO VOLUNTEER.

— UPDATED MEET THE BOARD PHOTOS ARE UP ON OAKC INSTAGRAM NOW! TAKE A LOOK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR CURRENT BOARD!

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EDITOR’S NOTE

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loha Sunshines!

School starts in less than a week! Are you ready? I don’t think I am, but hey, I get to see more of my friends again! Apart from school starting, this month is also a really good time to do some of the things you really wanted to before the summer ends. Maybe you’ll be to busy to do whatever that is during the school year. Personally, I’m going to catch up on some movies and shows. I’m a little bit too obsessed with film and TV (whoops).

Anyway, for Key Club, August DCM is coming up on the 17th! It’s going to be a scavenger hunt, and I’m really excited. I couldn’t attend last month’s DCM, but I know this one is going to be great. Also, with the start of school comes more events! Recurring events like St. Irenaeus tutoring will be back. Rack up those hours to earn a graduation medal or stole!

I’m curious, what do you all think of the newsletters so far? What else would you like to see, or is there anything you want to improve? I would really like your input!

Last issue I doled out some life advice for the summer. This issue the self-help saga continues! (I should write a book). Honestly, the most solid piece of advice that I could give with my limited 15 and a half years of experience is don’t let opportunities pass you by. If you really want to do something, consider it and pursue it if you can.

Looking back as a junior (!), I find that almost all my regrets for high school are things I didn’t do.

Live and learn, right? Thanks for reading up to this point! Enjoy this issue!

Yours truly, Tammy Pham P.S. I realize that by the time this is posted, school has probably started (oopsie). Feel free to call me out on punctuality.

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PRESIDENT’S CORNER

ello Suns!

Our summer is almost up, and we’ll soon be heading back to school. I’m sure you’re all dreading being forced to go back to school, and facing a barrage of testing and homework. Luckily, Key Club will still be up and running, and you’ll be able to experience another amazing year of community service and inclusiveness. Make sure to sign up for Key Club at our booth during club rush! If you can’t find the booth, just try to find a person running around in a giant sun suit and I’m sure that’ll help. For the time being however, you’re left to reflect on your summer and spend your last days of summer dreading the coming of school. The thought of a new school year may appear daunting, considering your years at Oxford are much like the FitnessGram Pacer Test. They progressively gets more difficult as they continue. To help alleviate this burden, I have decided to compile a list of general tips for each grade.

For incoming freshman: Join Key Club! (Obviously) Your freshman year is supposed to be a time for experimenting with various clubs in high school. At the same time however, make sure to stay dedicated to the clubs you want to be a part of, since this will do you well when you apply for officer positions. In terms of academics, make sure to work hard in your classes and to stay on top of homework and tests. You’ll look back later and realize that this year wasn’t actually too bad.

For incoming sophomores: With WHAP gone, your workload is bound to decrease in comparison to previous years. At this point, you should continue working off of the foundation you provided yourself in your freshman year. Whether it be through working hard for the clubs you’re involved in, or working hard for the classes you’re taking, this foundation is bound to help pay off this year.

For incoming juniors: This year is going to be hard. Back in sophomore year, you had to worry about 2 AP classes. Some only took 1. As a junior, many of you will be taking at least 4 and the stress will start getting to you.

Stay on top of all of your tasks, whether it be club related of school related. Whether it be doing all of your homework the day it’s assigned, or making sure to study for a test a week in advance!

For incoming seniors: Sorry, I’m as unprepared as you are.

Keep on serving Suns! Hope to see you at some of our events!

— Alvin Hua

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Augus SUN

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MON

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OC FAIR FUN RUN

OA TEACHERS AND STAFF LUNCH

CYPRESS ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ BREAKKFAST

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OC FOOD BANK // WET N’ WILD 5K

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MUZEO ART CRAWL

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CONCERT ON THE GREENS

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THURS

BOLSA CHICA LAND RESTORATION

AUGUST DCM // LANDELL CAMP OUT

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CONCERT ON THE GREE HUDA SALEH || PROJECT CHAIR

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his was my second time at a Concert on the Green, so I already knew the drill. My responsibility, along with some of the other volunteers, was to refill and keep an eye on the condiments at the Kiwanis concession stand. There were hotdogs, hamburgers and a variety of chips for everyone to choose from. It was amazing to see so many people come together on the Cypress City Hall lawn and listen to some Elvis Presley music. The whole grass area was completely filled.

The sight made me realize why I love Key Club. Key Club allows me to see all of the different communities out there, and to serve them. Even though our job may have seemed minuscule compared to everyone else that made the event a success, being able to put a smile on some of the concert-goers faces was all I needed to feel like our work was appreciated.

ALVIN HUA || PRESIDENT

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s usual, I spent my Saturdays this month at the weekly Concert on the Green. Every week, I’m flooded with nostalgia and

OXFORD ACADEMY KEY CLUB

reminded of the times when I first started becoming dedicated to Key Club. I remember the beginning of the summer approaching sophomore year, and being bored out of mind. I decided to go volunteer out on a whim and I eventually fell in love with this club. Although 2 years have passed since those days, I have only grown to love this club even more.

When I went to the event this week, I was reunited with some of the people I started my time in this club with.

It’s fitting that my final months in Key Club be spent with the same people I spent my first months with. However, not only did I spend this month with the people I started off with, but I also spent this time volunteering alongside some of the newer members. And that’s when it hit me.

For the past few years, I’ve always been able to look up at somebody when tasked with something in Key Club. Whether it be Emily Huynh, Philip Corachea, or John Hoang, I was always able to find somebody to look up to and talk to for guidance. Now that they’ve all graduated, the position of the older figure has been handed towards me. I no longer have them to guide me. Now, I get to be the steady rock holding this club in place. And I couldn’t be more excited.

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JENNIFER LA || TECH EDITOR

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ne of my favorite annual summer events is the Concert on the Green where we assist our fellow sponsoring Kiwanis in selling food for our Cypress Community. Located at the Cypress Civic Center, Key Clubbers from OA, Cypress, and Cal State Fullerton help in serving the community by preparing delicious burgers and hotdogs. While swaying to the music and talking to your friends or meeting new people, the best part of this event is the free meal. Although volunteering is not all about the rewards, their huge, juicy burger is to die for.

With as many condiments as you want, the environment itself is a

place where you can cool down from the heat.

It is not too late to volunteer for this event! There are three more concerts in you can attend! August 6, 13, and 20! Mark it down on your calendars!

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VIVIAN BUI || SECRETARY

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each Boomba, one of Region 3’s famous annual events, was held on July 16th at Huntington Beach. Our region of comprised of Key Clubs from Division 4E Goldfish, 4N Otters, 4W Dragons, 30N Rhinos, 30S Suns, 41N Frogs, and 41S Lions. During Beach Boomba, we all spent our Saturday bonding and serving our community.

As an EA, I handled registration for the majority of the day. During this time, members from across Region 3 participated in various games, such as tic-tac-toe relay and capture the flag. After lunch, Kelly Tran led our monthly DCM on the beach. Can we get an “OH YEAH” for our LTG? Then we held a watermelon contest anda Pie-the-LTG fundraiser, which was probably my favorite part of the day.

Along with the other EAs, I helped fill plates with whipped cream to pie Kelly and the other Region 3 LTGS. As Beach Boomba came to a close, I felt nothing but ambivalence from the day. I was happy because I had an amazing day, but I felt sad because this was one of the last Region 3 events until October’s Region Training Conference. I was also sad because since the summer was ending, I would have less time for Key Club during the school year.

Sometimes it’s hard for me to explain why I love Key Club so much. I feel as if only a few people understand why this club makes me so happy. Although I dread school, I am looking forward to Club Rush because I can’t wait to spread my love of Key Club to the underclassmen!

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WRITE AND TEACH ACADEMY

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MATTHEW PHAN || VICE PRESIDENT

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n the past two weeks of this July, I had the amazing opportunity to work alongside nine other volunteers at Mrs. Spencer’s Write and Teach writing workshop. Going in, I had no clue what to expect. I only imagined that I would have to work alongside rampant pipsqueaks, and would dread the time that I spent there. But the ironic thing is, I soon began to dread the time that I didn’t spend at Write and Teach. I soon fell in love with the idea of waking up early in the morning to teach my children (super cute little 2nd and 3rd graders). Reaching outside my teaching group, I found that I was able to have fun with the students of all other ages as well. I got into a bartering business with the 4th and 5th graders, and the 6th and 7th graders crowned me their “Hooligan King”.

Although I initially came into the workshop with the mentality that I was going to be doing the teaching, all of the kids taught me invaluable lessons. At the end of the two weeks, I felt empty. I couldn’t even begin to imagine my mornings without forty bright, young faces in the room. I couldn’t even begin to imagine the rest of my summer without these kids.

But, I know that I will be able to see these kids again next year, when I will definitely be volunteering again. All I have to do is wait 365 more days until I can see my little ones again.

SAMANTHA YAO || TREASURER

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hirty minute commute and waking up before 7am? Basically a school day, and what I did every day for the last two weeks of July to volunteer as a TA at Mrs. Spencer’s Write and Teach camp in Fountain Valley. Each of the TA’s was assigned a group of 3-5 kids within one of the larger grade groups (2nd-3rd, 4th-5th, or 6th-7th). We stayed with them through a series of daily rotations, supervised them during break time, and helped guide them as they worked to develop their own stories for the camp anthology.

group’s obsession with anything haunted and sewage-related…I couldn’t have asked for a better, more enthusiastic group of kids to work with. Sure, they were little hooligans sometimes, but even after all of the sweat, tears, and frustration, the two weeks I had at Write and Teach were some of the most fun volunteer experiences that I’ve had, and I would highly recommend any future juniors or seniors to volunteer there next summer.

Writing has always been one of my favorite subjects, so it was an amazing experience to be able to share my passion and watch these kids grow in confidence and writing skill as time passed. Crystal (an Oxford alumni) and Toni were amazing mentors and so easy to work with, and Mrs. Spencer was always encouraging and welcoming to everyone there. But my favorite part of camp had to be the memories we all created together. Jamba Juice Fridays, Author’s Chair for 15 minutes at the end of every class, the daily rush to the snack box, anticipation for Jake’s recordings, laughing with the other TA’s. Tiffany and Nathan controlling the seesaws every day, Noah and Jason trying to eat leaves, Tyler’s riddles and roasting, mini Samantha, Thomas’ mysteriously-not-crunchy celery, playing Pokémon Go with Dylan (see you at Oxford in the fall!), my OXFORD ACADEMY KEY CLUB

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KEY CLUB IN THE FALL TAMMY PHAM || BULLETIN EDITOR

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s the school year starts, Key Club will kick into high gear with Club Rush, Fall Rally, and volunteer opportunities.

Make sure to come out during Club Rush to check out our booth and take pictures with the sun mascot! You can also bring friends or new high school students to join! To renew your Key Club membership, or become a member, you must pay the dues during Club Rush.

Fall Rally is also coming up soon! Our Fall Rally is at Six Flags and brings together Key Clubs from all across California, Nevada, and Hawai’i. It’s a wonderful chance to meet new people, get Key Club merch, show off our division spirit, and simply enjoy the park while fundraising for Pediatric Trauma.

Finally, new and recurring events will provide opportunities to volunteer! Especially during autumn, there are plenty of festivals and carnivals to get hours from!

Get ready to begin the new school year and a new year of Key Club!

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BRITTNEY LE || HISTORIAN As summer is unfortunately coming to an end, we’re greeted once again by school. With that, we must once again do our homework, study endless nights for tests, participate in extracurricular activities, and think about our futures.

As exhausting as it all sounds, some fun comes along with it, in the form of volunteering for Key Club!

Not only will you be helping out the community, you will also be able to hang out with your friends! Volunteering not only allows you to meet all sorts of new people, but if you volunteer for more than 150 hours, you could receive a graduation stole and medal! Volunteering can help you put smiles on others faces, while benefiting your future.

At first, it may be a little tough to volunteer while you’re juggling your homework and other activities. But once you get into the routine, it’s quite easy to work it all out: you could volunteer and spend time with your friends on the weekends, while focusing on your academics during rest of the week! In the end, volunteering benefits everyone in many different ways. It helps you in achieving your goal of volunteer hours, allows you to hang out with your friends, and helps you to give back to the community! You can simply make a difference in other people’s lives and make their lives easier by volunteering!

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CALL US MAYBE?

PRESIDENT Alvin Hua (714)-495-0275 alvinh36@gmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT Jeniffer Aguilar (714)-386-0489 jenny1568 @hotmail.com

VICE PRESIDENT Matthew Phan (714)-345-9482 matthewphan2008 @yahoo.com

BULLETIN EDITOR Tammy Pham (657)-254-7663 vtphammer @gmail.com

TECH EDITOR Jennifer La (714)-818-3873 jenniferla1998 @gmail.com

PROJECT CHAIR Helen Phan (714)-332-9535 helenphan01 @gmail.com

PUBLICIST Vina Nguyen (714)-332-9567 vinatramnguyen @gmail.com

HISTORIAN Ashley Sun (714)-858-0545 ccsun2001 @gmail.com

@oakeyclub

SECRETARY Vivian Bui (714)-414-9991 vpbui002@gmail.com

PROJECT CHAIR Huda Saleh (714)-885-0247 hsaleh23@gmail.com

HISTORIAN Brittney Le (714)-473-7222 brittneyle03 @gmail.com

TREASURER Samantha Yao (714)-403-9631 yao.samantha.d @gmail.com

PUBLICIST Tracy Vu (714)-262-8206 tracyvu15 @gmail.com

HISTORIAN Kevin Song (714)-822-1019 kevinmk102 @gmail.com

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