July

THE KEY FACTOR

West Brook High School | Division 10 | Region 13 | Volume 3 | Issue No.4

NOTE/MEMBER OF MONTH

NOTE/MEMBER OF MONTH

eyGuys!

HeyGuys!

eyGuys!

Withthesummernowinsession,theworkatKey ubstillcontinueson.Manypeoplearestill lunteeringandhelpingourschoolserveour mmunityevenifschoolisout.Thismonth's emberofthemonthisZainSayyedwith16 ours!(409)550-2055

ithSchoolalmostinsession,Ilook wardtoseeingeveryoneagainandalso rabetterandbrighteryearforKeyub2023-2024.Thismonthsmemberof hemonthisLukeHansonwith24hours!

iththeendoftheschoolyear,weseethewrap-upof othergreatyearatWestBrookSeniorHighSchool danothergreatyearforKeyClub.Thereisstillplenty projectstobedoneinthesummerandthenextyear lbeevenbetter!Thismemberofthemonthis charyTaingwith11.25hours!(409)730-6973

cherytaing@gmail.com

ayyed1706@gmail.com

-Yousuf

-Yousuf

MEDITERRANEA

SUMMER MOT

EAST RECYCLING

HowmightotherslearntostayinvolvedwithKeyClubduringthesummer break?

Stayingmotivatedduringthesummerwithaschoolclubcanbechallenging, asit'satimewhenmanypeopleprefertorelaxandtakeabreak.However, withthecorrectapproachandmindset,youcanstayengagedand enthusiasticaboutKeyClubanditsactivities.Herearesometipsthathelped mestaymotivated.

KeepingCommunication,Maintainingregularcommunicationwithkeyclub members,evenduringthesummerbreak.Usingsocialmedia,groupchats,or newsletterstoshareupdates,ideas,andupcomingevents.Thishelps everyonestayconnectedandinformed.Stayingorganized,Keepingtrackof keyclubmeetings,events,anddeadlinesusingaplannerordigitalcalendar. Beingorganizedhelpsmemanagemytimeeffectivelyandreducestress. SeekingInspiration,Lookingforinspiringstories,articles,orvideosabout KeyClubhelpsthefocusormission.SharingtheseideaswithKeyClubboost motivationandremindseveryoneofthepositiveimpacttheycanmake. StayingPositive,Asaleaderand/oranactivemember,maintainingapositive attitudeandencouragothers.Celebratingachievements,bigorsmall,and providingconstructivefeedbackwhenneeded.ReflectingonPastSuccesses, RemindingKeyClubmembersoftheachievementsandsuccessestheyhave accomplished.Thisreflectionhelpsbuildconfidenceandmotivateseveryone tokeepstrivingformore.Withthisallbeingsaid,Rememberthatmaintaining motivationduringthesummerrequiressomeflexibility,asmembersmay haveothercommitments.Withbeunderstandingofvaryingschedulesand commitments,butalsotryingtofindwaystokeepKeyClubactiveand energized.Bylearningapositiveandsupportiveenvironment,wecankeep KeyClubthrivingthroughoutthesummerandbeyond.

G PROJECT

CL

ST. JUDE'S VA BIBLE SCH

What impact do activities like a tennis clinic have on youth during the summer time?

There are a plethora of beautiful activities that many do not get to experience due to money or inaccessibility, and I believe tennis is one of them. There’s nothing more rewarding than feeling a tennis ball solidly “thump” on the center of your racquet’s strings and come flying into a graceful shot. Additionally, the sport is one full of sportsmanship and love, and it is especially evident as the match begins with the score love all. In order to translate this love to others, West Brook Tennis Team members and I revived our school’s free tennis clinic. We have been volunteering from Monday to Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM. Tennis team members, like myself, would teach the basics such as the forehand and backhand while correcting form, and Key Club members with little to no experience in tennis would feed balls, pick up balls, and make sure every child is hydrated and in good condition. In addition to correcting form and feeding balls to hit, another team captain and I devised drills to further skills in footwork and increase physical fitness. With all the hard work the kids have to go through, we volunteers are careful to check up on them and offer breaks from the grueling Texas sun. Of course, we have to make our sessions exciting (even though we believe tennis itself is enough), so we always add a fun fitness game at the end! Usually, kids do not like associating the words fun and fitness together, but once running and footwork are turned into relays and competitions, everybody starts to get more excited! With both of our sessions nearing their end, a bittersweet feeling begins to pour into my heart. It is such a joy to pass on the passion and knowledge I have to eager, bright-minded kids, but it feels just as sorrowful to know that the time spent was limited. But time spent is better than time never passed; therefore, with all that was taught, I hope that the players who all attended the tennis camp will carry with them in life the enjoyment from the game they experienced there.

CATION HOOL

KARINA BERNAL LINIC

CRYSTAL LIU

ISHA PATEL

POWER COMPETIT

UPCO PRESI

MY LE EXPER

END OF T PAR

ASSEMBLIN DES

OVERCO OBSTA

Has your club encountered any obstacles? What has your club done to overcome those obstacles?

As the sun set on another academic year, West Brook High School Key Club looked back on a transformative journey filled with challenges and triumphs. As the President of this esteemed organization, I couldn't be prouder of the resilience and dedication demonstrated by our members in overcoming obstacles that threatened to derail our mission

The year began with a burst of enthusiasm and determination, as we set our sights on becoming the #1 Key Club in the Texas-Oklahoma Region Fueled by a passion for service, our members poured their hearts into various projects aimed at making a positive impact on our community Among these projects, our Scrapbook and Poster stood out, showcasing their creativity and talent, ultimately securing 1st place awards in both competitions as well as 1st place Key Club in the Texas-Oklahoma Region The awards were a testament to our dedication and teamwork, serving as milestones of our success However, little did we know that even greater challenges were lurking on the horizon Soon after our triumph at the awards, we were faced with the departure of our long-standing sponsor, who had been the backbone of our Key Club for several years The news of our sponsor ' s departure initially sent shockwaves through the club, leaving us uncertain about the future But rather than losing hope, we viewed this as an opportunity to grow and adapt Undeterred, we pressed forward and continued our commitment to service even in the face of uncertainty As the saying goes, "When one door closes, another opens " Shortly after our sponsor left, fate smiled upon us, and we were introduced to a new sponsor who was eager to take up the mantle It was a heartwarming moment to witness the torch of leadership being passed to a new individual who was just as passionate about Key Club's values and mission With our new sponsor on board, we made it our priority to help them become acquainted with the club's history, achievements, and the profound impact we had on the community The genuine camaraderie within our Key Club family was instrumental in easing our sponsor ' s transition, and they quickly became an integral part of our tight-knit community Our journey was a testament to the power of resilience, unity, and the unwavering dedication of our members We navigated the highs and lows with a sense of purpose, turning adversity into an opportunity to forge an even stronger Key Club As the President of West Brook High School Key Club, I am incredibly humbled by the passion and perseverance displayed by each and every member Together, we demonstrated that with determination and teamwork, no obstacle is insurmountable The baton of leadership may have passed on, but the spirit of service and the drive to make a difference remain deeply ingrained in our club's DNA As we look towards the future, I have no doubt that West Brook High School Key Club will continue to shine brightly, leaving an indelible mark on the lives we touch and the communities we serve Our journey has shown us that the heart of Key Club beats strong, and together, we will continue to spread the light of service, compassion, and unity

What is your favorite volunteering project?

SOME OTHER

HO

MAKING A DIFF

CAMP CLEAN

From the busy perspective of any well-performing student, many see their volunteer work as a chore or as a boring project which would be insatiable to the uneventful, relaxing day that they hope for. Some Other Place, although not necessarily keen to be called relaxing at the least, is something that can be considered as a feel-good event; something that satiates the feelings of interaction– either by meeting fun, nice, weird, or even crazy individuals.

The very first time upon volunteering for the project, I had only known certain details that I was told: making sandwiches, preparing lunch bags, and giving out bags and drinks to people in need; I was also forewarned about the imminent feelings of danger and uneasiness that would accompany me for that experience as well. So, walking into the building itself worried me, as I saw the people outside with baggy and stained clothing, fatigued and disdainful looks, and the bags or carts of personal belongings with them. Resultantly, I was not very keen on seeing this as a particular project to be worth sprawling out of bed at 8 am on an empty stomach just after a long school day.

As I walked through the red door that contrasted the shadowy, dark undertones glooming outside of the building, I would be introduced to an array of peers in the exact same position: calling their parents to tell them they were safe and the people outside were, in fact, not a danger to them. However, with a supervisor watching us, we slowly started feeling at ease. We began with making sandwiches in the kitchen; this particular day we made egg salad sandwiches. I remember being able to talk with people I had yet to know and peers about school, experiences, and the apparent worry that we had coming into this project With our vinyl gloves on, two people laid out bread to put scoops of egg salad in, and the two others would bag the sandwiches All other volunteers worked on bagging chips outside the kitchen After everyone had finished we put a snack bag, a sandwich, and an apple in each of the paper bags to prepare to give them out I have never been unfamiliar with a kitchen or work environment, as I have worked in the food service industry.

However, Some Other Place had something more distinguishably special to give– other than experience, it had changed my perspective on certain people and pushed me to appreciate and value things that even outwardly seem boring, disdainful, or worrying The individuals I met giving the bags out were undoubtedly not as well-dressed or well-washed as most customers you would serve at a restaurant However, they treated us with more respect than we had given them, even though we were younger, more naive, and unappreciative of the gifts we were given.

Everyone remembers their first experiences differently some entirely changing their views on homeless individuals and others earning a certain degree of respect for them and the organization working with them. At the very least, each person is at the slightest impacted by the work that they do with the organization, whether it be personal or otherwise Walking out of the building, I came to respect the people who came out and helped others and grew even more respect for those who unashamedly received help with no less than a great attitude and greater smiles– something I had not initially shown them in the beginning.

THANH TRAN PLACE

KARINA BERNAL

SOC CONCES

SUM INFLUE

GIVING

WhatroledoesKeyClubplayinyoureverydaylifewhilenotinschool?

WhatisbeingintouchwithlocalharvestmeanforyourKeyClub?

Whatisitliketovolunteeratyourlocalsoccerconcessionsandwhyisitfu

Volunteeringatthesoccerconcessionstandwasajourneyfilledwithcamaraderie, purpose.BeingapartofKeyClub,anorganizationdedicatedtoservingothers,hasa communitywhiledevelopingessentiallifeskills.Mytimeattheconcessionstandwa WorkingalongsidefellowKeyClubmembers,weformedatight-knitteamdrivenby camaraderieandsupportweexperiencedweretrulyinspiring,anditmadethevolu enjoyable.Throughthisendeavor,Ihadtheopportunitytolearnandgrowinvariou environmentoftheconcessionstandtaughtmethevalueofadaptabilityandefficie registertoservingfood,Iacquiredpracticalorganizationalskillsthathaveproveni allowedmetoexcelnotonlyinfuturevolunteeropportunitiesbutalsoinacademic withsoccerfansfromdiversebackgroundswasatransformativeexperience.Ilearne communication,patience,andempathy.Interactingwithpeopleofallagesandcate powerofconnectionandtheimpactasmallactofkindnesscanhaveonsomeone'sd notonlyimprovedmyrelationshipswithothersbuthavealsomademeamoreund individual.Thejoyandgratitudeexpressedbysoccerfansweregratifying.Seeingth enjoyedthegameandtheconcessionsfilledmyheartwithasenseoffulfillmentand contributedtocreatingpositiveexperiencesforothershasleftalastingimpactonm canconfidentlysaythatIwoulddoitagaininaheartbeat.Volunteeringatthesocce togrowasaperson,makelastingfriendships,andmakeameaningfuldifferenceint andfulfillmentIderivedfromservingmycommunitythroughKeyClubhaveignite

EventhoughtheschoolyearhasendedIstillcontinuetodomyKeyClubd ClubhasplayedmanyrolesinmyeverydaylifewhileIamnotinschool.Th Club,Ihavebeenexposedtonumerousopportunitiesthathavepushedme allowedmetogrowinvariousaspectsofmylife.AroleKeyClubhasplayed hashelpedteachmesomefundamentalsinlifethatareneededtoliveinth Clubhastaughtmeishowtobeatrueleader.BybeingaKeyClubofficerI experiences.KeyClubhasprovidedmewithpracticalexperiencesthathav byleadingmyfellowvolunteerswithinserviceprojects.Leadingtheminth whilevolunteering.Theseleadershipskillsarevaluabletousewhilesetting continuingmyresponsibleactionsduringthesummer. AnotherthingKey communication.Throughthenumerousprojectstovolunteerattherewill what,whereyouhavetocommunicate.Theseserviceprojectshavehelped communicationskillsandallowedmetomeetnewpeopleandlearnabout ofcommunication,KeyClubisnotisolatedtojusttheschool.WhenIwasa theseprojectsIdevelopedconnectionswithmanyothervolunteersthatwe fromofcommunication,andmyleadershipabilities,likewhatkeyClubha situationsandrelationships.IthastaughtmemanythingsthatIwillcontin whenschoolishere,especiallyinthesummerseason.

TheGivingFieldisagardenthatorganicallygrowsfruitsandvegetablesto feedingthehungry.Alloftheirprofitsandcropsaregivenbacktothecomm organizationssuchasSomeOtherPlace.OurKeyClubisluckilygiventheo twiceeverymonth.Theorganizationisfullofwarmandwelcomingfacesth areextremelyhelpfultowardsnewvolunteersandevenoldones!Theyallo varioustaskssuchaspullingweeds,cleaninggardenbeds,collectingeggs,a VolunteeringatTheGivingFieldisalwaysagreatwaytoreconnectwithth environment.Nottomention,itisalsoagreatwaytosoakinsomesunona volunteeredattheGivingFieldandhadanamazingtime,althoughsomeof challenge!OneofthemanythingsIenjoyedwasharvestingfruitsandvege tomatoes.Anothertaskthatwasgiventouswastocollecteggsfromtheirch scarytasktocomplete.Ilikedthattheygavevolunteersalistofthingstodo organizedsincewecouldcrossoutthetasksourselvesuponcompletion.Be lovedseeingthegroupofvolunteersIwaswithcompletenearlyeverysingl theweatherwasscorchinghot,IlikedtogetthesetasksdonebecauseIkne towardsagoodcause.Withafewfriends…andabottleofwater…youaregu a-kindprojectthatholdsapowerfulgoal.

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MICHELLE HENG

ZAIN SAYYED

ZACHARY TAING

HO

HO

What has been your experience with Key Club and how has it impacted your high school career?

In this school year, I’ve met many amazing people through Key Club. It is truly an astonishing club to be in. Not only are we meeting new friends but we ’ re also helping out our school and community. For me, this club has brought me many memories that I will forever cherish. It brought me closer to my community while also enjoying myself. Key Club has made this high school year go by so fast. Working the concessions was very fun since we were able to work them with our friends. Of course, there’s always a sense of professionalism while working there.

Throughout the meetings, we were able to interact with all the other members which, in my opinion, I think it’s a great way to get everyone to get out of their shells. I was already extroverted but sometimes with new people I can be quite shy. That’s why I was shocked that I was interacting with all the members even though I didn’t even know them. I thank the key club for that since because of the many icebreakers we had, I was confident enough to be able to enjoy myself through the games. Key Club made me realize that there are many volunteer opportunities in town that I didn’t even know of.

I’m glad that I was able to be a part of this club. I am sure that whoever joins the club will have a very memorable time. It’s a place where everyone is welcome. I realized that I looked forward to the following Key Club meeting right after we finished. I’m sure that this following year of the Key Club will be very helpful with my school year since it will be my last year. I’m excited about the new activities that we will be having throughout the year. This year was one of the best years and it’s all due to the Key Club. I hope that the newcomers also enjoy the Key Club as much as I did.

EMILY XU

YOUSUF AHMAD

KAREN CRUZ

MAJOR EMPHASIS PROJECTS

UNICEFistheonlyorganizationoftheUnitedNationsdedicatedexclusivelytochildren.Workingwit governmentsandnon-governmentalorganizations,UNICEFhelpstoprovideforchildren’sneedsinmo throughcommunity-basedservicesinprimaryhealthcare,basiceducationandsafewat

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Sincethe1940s,KeyClubshaveworkedwithMarchofDimestomakeapositiveimpactinthelivesofba memberscontinuethatcultureofservicebysupportingtheMarchofDimesallyearlongbyhostingser educatingcommunitiesaboutthecrisisofpretermbirth.

Children’sMiracleNetworkHospitals®raisesfundsandawarenessfor170memberhospitalsthatprovide kidsacrosstheU.S.andCanada.Donationsstaylocaltofundcriticaltreatmentsandhealthcareservices, charitablecare.Since1983,Children’sMiracleNetworkHospitalshasraisedmorethan$5billion,mo charity'sMiracleBalloonicon.Itsvariousfundraisingpartnersandprogramssupportthenonprofit'smis ofasmanychildrenaspossible.

ThirstProjecthopestoeducatethenextgenerationbyarmingstudentswithinformationabouthowthe makeadifferenceandencourageotherstojoinintheeffort.

GOVERNOR'S PROJECT

GOVERNOR'S PROJECT

hotherUnitedNationsbodies, rethan150developingcountries erandsanitation.

bieseverywhere Today,Kiwanis viceprojects,raisingfundsand

32milliontreatmentseachyearto pediatricmedicalequipmentand stofit$1atatimethroughthe siontosaveandimprovethelives

ycanbeapartofsocialchange,

OUR OFFICERS

OUR OFFICERS

President-MahdyChouirf (409)474-1185

mchourf0208@gmail.com

VicePresident-ZainSayyed (409)550-2055

zsayyed1706@gmailcom

Secretary-CrystalLiu (409)454-6069

cyuxinliu@gmail.com

Secretary-ThanhTran (617)763-3483

thantran10012006@gmail. com

Editor-=YousufAhmad (409)-790-5865

yzahmad121@gmail.com

Sponsor-LoriAbel (409)782-9675

label@bmtisdcom

Editor-KarinaBernal (409)444-7112

Karinabeatri7333@gmail.com

Parliamentarian-IshaPatel (409)499-4230

ishap0912@gmail.com

Historian-ZacheryTaing (409)730-6973

zacherytaing@gmail.com

Division1

Historian-HaleyNguyen (409)617-8020

haley.nguyen1408@gmail.com

Treasurer-MichelleHeng (713)453-9196

hengmichelle56@gmail.com

Webmaster-ChaseDyrhaug (409)330-1725

chasedyrhaug12@gmailcom