THE OFFICIAL

CHINO HILLS HIGH SCHOOL KEY CLUB

NEWSLETTER

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4

Back to School Updates

Articles &

Registration

Events &

Recaps

Recognition

Photo by Samantha Woo

OPENING The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

in this issue…

Opening

President’s Note…………………….2

Goals: Revisited……………………..2

Recognition

Member(s) of the Month………….3

Members in Good Standing……..4

Wanted

Articles………………………………..5

Photos………………………………...5

Articles & Photos

“Relay for Life”-Jesrill Velasco…...6

(continued)…………………………7

Updates

First Meeting………………………...8

Special Olympics…………………..8

AIDS Walk…………………………….8

Walk for Hunger……………………..9

Fall Rally……………………………….9

District Convention………………..10

President’s Note

When I had set the

goals for what I want-

ed the club to accom-

plish over the sum-

mer, there was honest-

ly a part of me that

was a bit scared

that...maybe I was

asking too much. Af-

ter all, before this year

our club had remained

pretty dormant during the summer. I remem-

ber the first event of the summer, I was worried

not enough people would attend, but once

again you all proved to me how great you all

are! That day, we had so many people that at-

tended we didn‟t know what to do with all of

them! It was great! And it continued through-

out the summer as such. From events such as

the Regional Beach Clean Up to Relay for Life,

I have been able to grow and bond with so

many of you, and form memories that I will

truly cherish. I am astounded to count the

hours for just this Key Club Year (which started

in April) and find out that there are already

members that have earned there „Member in

Good Standing‟ status! To see members get so

involved, so passionate, to see my club win a

spirit battle, to have members tell me how

much fun they had at Key Club events, to see

them post it on facebook, tumblr, etc. and

spread knowledge of who and what we are has

really moved me this summer. I couldn‟t have

asked for a better club. I love each and every

one of you. You have all brought something

unique to this club and made a contribution in

some way.

And so, with all the sentimental stuff out of

the way, here‟s to the beginning of a new school

year and the rest of the Key Club Year!

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 2

Summer Goals: Revisited

250 Service Hours

45 Events

5 Interclub Events

Actually achieved over summer…and counting

1,105 Service Hours

& S

urp

asse

d

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 3

RECOGNITION The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

Steven Gastelum

Steven, though only having not too long ago having joined Key

Club, has shown a great deal of enthusiasm! And sure has

made his presence known this summer, attending an impres-

sive number of events from Salvation Army, to Concerts in the

Park, to even Relay for Life! He not only has Key club spirit at

events but outside the club as well, exposing people from

Cross Country to Key Club. We look forward to seeing all he

does in the year to come with Key Club!

Oh, and did we mention that he has already earned his

„Member in Good Standing‟ status for the 2011-2012 Key Club

Year! :D

Ima Idahosa Ima has truly shown her spirit and dedication this summer!

Especially at Regional Beach Clean Up and Relay for Life;

though after showing tremendous spirit at Fall Rally 2010 it is

no surprise! Ima has also made it her personal goal—along

with many others—to earn one hundred hours and graduate

with a stole from Key Club and is well on her way to doing so!

Ima has definitely brought something unique to the club, as

she never fails to exert the inclusiveness of a Key Clubber and

perform service with a smile! We cannot wait to see how Ima

progresses as she reaches for her goal of one hundred hours!

Both of these members are exemplary Key Clubbers. They have proved to others

the importance of service, and it is because of members like this that our club is

able to propel forward! Thank you both for all your hard work and dedication!

- 2011-2012 Executive Board

RECOGNITION The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 4

Member(s) in Good Standing In Key Club, each Key Club Year (which begins and ends in April based upon District Conven-

tion), each member has the opportunity to earn the status of Member in Good Standing. The most

basic requirement for this recognition is that the member reach 50 hours on community service

within his/her home club for that given year. Also, the member must be active in the aspects of

meeting attendance, etc.

1. Luis Tenorio

2. Samantha Woo

3. Angeline Chen

4. Josh LaCour

5. Steven Gastelum

6. Jesrill Velasco

*Many members were extremely close to reaching the 50 hour mark!

Keep on serving Huskies! There is still plenty of time to achieve the Mem-

ber in Good Standing status.

Congratulations to those that achieved this level of recognition!

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 5

WANTED The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

Articles

Do you like writing? Interested in journalism? Then Key Club

might just be an outlet for you! We are looking for members to

write “articles” about Key Club! These “articles” can be any

length and about any topic as long is it relates to Key Club. For

example, you can do it on a service project, your Key Club mo-

ment, a convention, the list goes on and on! These “articles”

can not only be featured on our newsletter, but on the District

Newsletter as well; for Key Clubbers all across California, Neva-

da, and Hawaii to see! If you have any questions contact Presi-

dent Luis Tenorio!

Photos

Enjoy taking pictures? Find yourself already bringing your camera

to Key Club events? Then Key Club can be an outlet for you! We

are looking for member submissions of pictures of service projects

that our club does! These pictures are to be pictures of service, not pictures of people posing. Remember we want to portray the

Key Club that we all know! The Key Club that serves! These pho-

tos are to be submitted to an officer via email! These photos will

also be sent to the district and can even be featured on a newslet-

ter, if not this newsletter! So, get those cameras ready! :D

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 6

ARTCILES & PHOTOS The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

“Relay for Life”

I didn't expect Relay For Life to have any sort of emotional effect on me whatsoever, despite the fact that my grandpa and aunt both died from brain cancer and my best friend's oldest friend's father (whom she considered a father figure in her life) had recently died of cancer and was having his funer-al the day after this event. I admit I did-n't take this event as seriously as I should of, despite it's importance and impact on those involved, as well as the community it services. I did, however, enjoy the event very much, I found the booths to be extremely fun and creative and the people to be charming and live-ly, so I suppose I wasn't entirely off when I say that I had a very amusing day. Though I suppose that is what Re-lay For Life is all about; it is about fighting back against the disease through humorous social events, tons of food purchases, and good times with great people. It shows a more optimistic side to the dreadful realities of cancer, I at least understood that much. It wasn't until later that night, after all the walk-ing shifts were over and all the jokes and funny stories were told did it all really hit me. That night at around 9 we began to walk to the stage in preparation for the Luminaria Ceremony, there were at least a hundred paper bags with lit can-

inside placed along both sides of the track representing those who have passed away from cancer. The speaker, an elementary school teacher, told the hundreds of us about to walk a story about her 7 year old student who was given 3- 4 weeks to live. This is where I began to break down into tears as the realities of this disease began to race back to me and I was re-minded of the pain my family and I went through 6 years ago when my grandpa was first diagnosed with brain cancer, then a year later again when my aunt was sen-tenced to the same diagnosis. As I listened to the speaker, I began to think about the pain that that little boy must be going through and the unbelievable pain that his parents and family must be experi-encing as they bare witness to all this. As we began to walk, the tears continued to fall. I cried for Jose and his family.

I cried for my aunt and grandpa. I cried

for all those who have been wounded by

the disease. I cried for the survivors, the

deceased, and all those who have been

affected by it. I cried for the parents

who helplessly watched their children

suffer as their bodies formed it‟s own

path to destruction. I cried for the chil-

dren who helplessly watched their par-

ents suffer as their bodies formed it‟s

own path to destruction. I cried for sib-

lings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and

friends. I cried for all those walking that

night who was hurting. I cried for all

those who had lost someone or fears

will lose someone. I cried for those

lucky enough to have not been directly

affected by cancer. I cried for the little

child who drew on a paper bag “I love

you mom.” I cried for the children who

spend most of their lives fighting a bat-

tle without truly understanding what is

happening to them. I cried because I

cannot do anything about it. I cried

because maybe, just maybe, if I cried

hard enough, I can absorb everyone‟s

pain, and no one would have to hurt

anymore. As I finished my laps I walked

towards the restrooms to clean myself

up, or perhaps to just spend time with

myself and my thoughts, and I was

forced to wait in a line of several wom-

en, who were almost all wearing a spe-

cial made 'team' shirt and didn't appear

as heartily affected as I was. They were

all instead chatting and laughing,

though there was an odd tension in

the air that seemed to re-flect an artificial and some-what forced felicity. Which made me wonder how many of these Relay For Life events they've been to, and how many it must have tak-en to ease the pain enough to the point of treating the wound with laughter rather than tears, or otherwise allowing themselves to ap-pear braver and stronger than they actually felt in-side. These thoughts made me, once again, break down into silent tears. The wom-an standing in front of me seemed to take notice, she was by herself, as I was, and wearing a sash and a very identifiable purple shirt. I knew immediately who she must have been without even reading the one word on her shirt: SURVIVOR. What she did next surprised me more than I could possi-bly describe, a simple ges-ture that if it were from anybody else, except maybe my grandmother, would not have had the same effect on me. This woman hugged me, she looked at me with her warm eyes and held me with her cold and comfort-ing skin. This woman, who went through more than I can fathom, struggled with more than I can under-stand, and fought -- harder than I will probably ever fight in my life, comforted me. It was more than I felt I deserved. I didn't believe that I was worthy to be com-forted by such a warrior. I was overcome with childish

ARTCILES & PHOTOS The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 7

guilt as we pulled away from our embrace, embarrassed by the weak-ness I showed, and uncomfortable with what was to come next. "Thank you," I murmured rather artlessly as I wiped away the remaining tears, we were close in line by this time. "Crying is nothing to be ashamed of dear," she said to my surprise, "don‟t be afraid to be sad when you feel sad, it is important to understand and be in touch with the things you feel."

My thoughts remain with those who have been affected by cancer; I know there is nothing I could do to make the pain go away and I can‟t say it will be easy to learn to live without those we have lost, but we must try, we are in this together.

-Jesrill Velasco

Photos by Gabby Morales

Thank you both for

your submissions!

UPDATES The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 8

First Meeting of the School Year

September 12th

In the Theater

BEE there & bring a friend

The Special Olympics is an annual event that our Key Club helps

out in. This year the Special Olympics will be held on Saturday,

September 24th ( 8:30AM—1:30PM) at Bowlium Lanes in

Montclair . What we do is either cheer and encourage the partici-

pants on as they compete in their event or help by keeping score

and handing out awards! :D

The event that many of you have been looking forward to is

finally here— AIDS Walk! AIDS Walk will be held on the 16th

of October! AIDS Walk is a walk that begins and ends in

West Hollywood Park and is meant to raise funds in the fight

against, as well as raise awareness for, AIDS. We will be get-

ting there via bus, with more information to come as the date

approaches! :)

UPDATES The Official Chino Hills High School Key Club Newsletter

August | VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4 | Page 9

The Walk for the Hungry is a walk that raises

funds for the local food banks that provide basic

food needs to families in the area. It also is a way

to raise awareness of the sheer number of people

that go without food in the local area that is often

overlooked. Aside from the walk, other festivities

will take place in which you can show your sup-

port and participate.

Sunday October 9th

When: Saturday, November 19th, 2011

Where: Six Flags Magic Mountain

Time: 10:30am-6pm

Prepaid tickets - $27 ($33 discount, YAY!)

Fall Rally, is basically a gigantic Key Club pep ral-

ly in which each of the Divisions from the South-

ern Californian area gather to celebrate all the

funds that they have raised for the Pediatric Trau-

ma Program, as well as raise even more money to

top off fundraising! But, you also get to enjoy the

attractions at Six Flags while there as well! :D

BEElieve - the Magic of Service

This year’s District Convention Theme is..

BEElieve – the Magic of Service

[hence the little kid with the magical hat]

Support the District Convention Committee and choose your favorite ribbons at

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HCKX7KS. Ribbons will be available for a $1

donation to the Pediatric Trauma Program at District Convention. The survey

deadline is September 13th at 6pm.

For those of you that aren’t familiar with what District

Convention is: District Convention is a convention where

the clubs from all over our District (California, Nevada,

Hawaii) to celebrate all that they have accomplished

throughout the Key Club Year, as well as vote and partic-

ipate in the election of the new District Board. Apart from

that, there are also various workshops for members and

officers to help us become more efficient and run the

club more effectively. Not to mention, it is also a great

way to meet tons of new people and have fun at the

dance and Service Expo! All in all, District Convention is

an experience that no Key Clubber should miss out on!