Erica Irwin, 8the grader, George M. Veriety Middle School, Ashland, KY sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ashland KY was the speech winner for 2003-2004. The topic this year: "How my particiapation in the Builders Club has helped me include the core values of character builders, inclusiveness, caring and leadership into my daily life."
"Sir William Osler, called the most influential physician in history, once said this about leadership...."He who follows another sees nothing, learns nothing, nay seeks nothing." I think the Kiwanians who helped start the first Builders's Club, which is at my school, had Doctor Osler's thought in mind.
I am a first year member of the Builder's Club. And only as a first year member I have learned what Builder's CLub is about, and I have experienced on of the most astonishing, unforgettable years in my life. I really love the Builder's Club. I love participating in this outatnding organization, and I especially love beign here right now representing the Verity Builders Club. I am proud of our school's Builder's Club organization. We were the first Builder's Club organized in the world.
In the 2003-2004 school year we had 98 7th and 8th graders sign up to participate. I did not know all of the students at Verity who joined this year, but because of Builder's Club meetings and the way members respect oneanother, we have gotten to know each other. I believe now that I know almost everyone's name. We did this one activity purposely to help us to get to know people better. First, we recieved a slip of paper with one of four song listed on it. Next, we had to hum our song to each other, until we were able to identify who had the same song, thus putting us inthe same group. I admit tere were soem people I didn't hum to because I didn't know them very well. The students I didn't approach came up to me instead adn hummed their song. This Builder's Club activity proved to me that although everyone is different, and that you may not know them, you can learn to respect and accept them. If we did respect each other, think of te success tha twe could achieve. In Builder's Club, we have succeeded! "We Build" onto our friendships. We respect the differences, thoughts, and feelings of each other.
The Builder's Club ahs made me become a better person. I have matured from beign just a good person and I believe that I speak on behalf of most of the Builders CLub members. We do activities that help our community, such as campus clean-ups. We hosted a special needs students Christmas pary. By the way, that party was such a great success twe are planning to have an Easter party for them as well. We also help other clubs at Verity. When the Beta CLub or Student Council fo Verity needs help, they always rely on us. Members of the Kiwanis CLub atend out meetings and give us inspiration and motivation to continue our membership with the Builders CLub sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.
The most important role in the Builders Club is leadership. Julia Conley, the president of Verity's Builders Club is not the only leader we have. Some members of our Club are chair people of projects supported by the Builders Club, such as PRoject SCAYT, Red Ribbon Week, The Reading project, and Operation Christmas Child.
One project, Operation Christmas Child is chaired by a 7th grader to give them experience for leadership. This project involves packing a shoe box full of toys, candy, clothes, bibles, books, pencils, pens and sending them off to underprivileged children around the world. If is amazing how a simple shoebox can make a child so happy.
Another project, our Red Ribbon Week, is where the Verity students take one week to recognize the hamful effects fo drugs. Certain days of the week we turn out shirs and pants backwards--in honor of turning our backs ondrugs. And on other days we would wear an outfit that clashed--in honor of clashing with drugs. The entire week we would wear bracelets or Red Ribbons that said, "My future is bright, I'm drug free". This was a successful and fun project which students enjoyed.
Project SCAYT, spelled S.C.A.Y.T., stands for Someone Cares About You Today. In this project the Builders CLub finds a person whom has experienced a personal problem, and we, as caring Builders Club members, write encouraging messages using kind words, to let that special someone know that we're here for them. This is a very rewarding project for both that person adn the Buidlers Club members.
The Reading Project is where some of our members, walk to either Oakview or Poage Elementary Schools and read to the elemetary students. Asco chairman of the Reading Project, I came to understand that leadaership comes with dedication and responsibility. I have to be decicated to get this project organized and to make sure that the 7th and 8th graders along with the elementary students all have a good time. I lead the walks to the elementary schools adn orgaize the meetings with the principals and the teachers.
Overall the Builders Club has made me a better leaader. It provides a variety of opportunities that I and many others have taken. We have developed many good leaders, it's no wonder we're number one in the world. Again, I am proud of our Club, and I plan to be a member of the High School Key Club for the next four years. For those of you who aren't a part of the Builders or Kiwanis Club, a bit of advice, join now. It is truely a great organization. Thank-you!
Jaynesse Thorton, from the Cosby Elementary School Builders Club in Newport TN is the winner of the 2002-2004 KT Builders Winning Speech Competition. Her club is sponsored by the Newport Kiwanis Club, to whom she delivered the speech. The tape of her presentation has been forwarded to International for International Speech competition. Winners of the International Builders and KKids speech contests are invited to speak at the summer Kiwanis Key Club and Circle K Convention
" Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31. Hello, my name is Jaynese Thornton. I am in the Builders Club at Cosby Elementary. I would like to take this moment to share with you how being a Builders Club member has helped me to realize what are the most important things in life!
It hadn't come to my attention, until I took a closer look,
at how many needy people are in out community. Some people don't
even have the things we thing of as necessities such as electricity,
indoor plumbing, and complete homes. In saying complete homes,
what I mean is you would be surprised at how many families have
dirt floors and leaky roofs as parts of their shelters. This year
we have helped these unfortunate people by having a canned food
drive. We also provided our science teacher, Mr. Alexander, with
a cabinet to store his scientific instruments. Some
of his equipment had been broken because he had no sufficient
storage space. These are two great examples of how our Builders
Club and helped those in need.
I was amazed at how much fun just doing something good for someone else could be. I really enjoyed seeing the excitement on the children's faces as I worked at the Kiwanis Kid's Day back in September. I also felt that I was doing something to benefit out school when my friends and I took the time to clean the cafeteria several times this year. On Sparkle Cay, I realized, besides having a day off from normal schoolwork, how good I felt doing something that benefited the entire student body.
After learning about, and sometimes seeing, these people in need, I came to the realization of how blessed we are! This thought makes me see how grateful we really should be! I mean think about it. Can you image waking up this morning knowing you don't have enough food to feed your family? This is a very humbling thought.
If you have not heard anything else I have said, please, please
listen to this! Many people think success is acquiring wealth,
fame and reaching the top of their career field, hurting friends,
abusing family members and just getting there any way possible.
Through Builders Club I have learned this is not the way our world
should be. We need to consider other people along the way in our
walk though this life. What is it we really are working toward?
Everybody is going to die, and we can't take anything from this
world with us. So help as many people as you can to get
through it with self-value and worth. Don't just always live for
yourself, but do something nice for someone else. If you do this,
your life will have much more meaning and fulfillment!
Now, do you remember the Bible verse, Luke 6:31, I said at the beginning? Did you realize this is also known as the Golden Rule? So to others as you would have them do to you. I think this can sum up the whole matter. If you were in need, would you want someone to help you? If you needed food or shelter, would you like someone to care enough about you and your family to help? Thank you.
Provided by Edye Bryant KT Builders Administrator