Alissa DeRoos (on right), a junior at Macomb High School, was our ambassador to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) this past summer and spoke about her experiences there.
Alissa said "it was a life changing experience for me."
She said she wasn't sure what to expect when she arrived for the seminar, but got a warm welcome and immediately became friends with other teenagers her same age.
Alissa said she was impressed with one speaker who talked about the stages of life and what is most important to you at that time depending on what age group you are in. There are different priorities at various stages of life and he encouraged those attending to be thinking about that. Alissa says those who attended heard from a variety of speakers from all different walks of life who are successful in their fields.
Check out this video to see some excited people at the seminar.
Alissa thanked us for making it possible for her to go and September program chairman Jack Elfrink thanked her for giving us a feeling of what it was like.
President Tim Moss presided. Following the Pledge of Allegiance and Kiwanis Pledge, John Moon led us in singing "Keep It Booming" and Chuck Nicholson gave the invocation.
Tim thanked everyone that has turned in the Club Membership Survey for incoming Lt. Gov. Nancy Clayton. "We've had a good response" he said.
The club membership roster is still being passed around so we have current information on all members for the new Kiwanis year beginning October 1.
Tim reported on the playground project fundraiser last Saturday at Chandler Park. He said we received $514.09 in donations and lost $200 in returned food costs. As of September 22, we are over $13,000 towards our goal of $24,000 thanks to generous $1,000 donations from John Moon and George Hermann and another $20 from Owen Thompson. That includes the $10,000 the club donated. Tim was at the ice cream sandwich table for most of the day and said "many people commented about the new playground and how they're looking forward to it by next spring" (hopefully). Tim and Owen have talked about constructing a patio around the playground equipment that would include bricks that could be engraved for donations.
Pictures of the Playground Project Fundraiser held Saturday, September 19. Look for members preparing Turkey Wraps the night before, Tim Moss displaying the planned playground, Debbie Vandemark with volunteer Nancy Jameson of the Carthage Kiwanis Club and one of the Kiwanis benches on display.
Debbie had an opening for a Picture Book of the Month reader at Lincoln School on Sept. 24 and Rick Bulger volunteered for that one. After we finish reading the books to the class, they are then donated by us to the school library.
Tim announced more details on a Treasure Hunt he teased us about a few weeks ago. The hunt was at the internatonal convention where our own Pat Stout had his picture taken as part of an interview. The picture was published in the Kiwanis magazine and Tim said no one caught it. If they had, the winner would have received a $5 McDonald's gift certificate. Since there wasn't a winner, he gave the certificate to Pat instead.
