1. Special award: Chester Banks received an WW II veteran award at a gala, held in Houston, celebrating Holecost Remembrance Day. Chester will be celebrating his 99th birthday on May 18, 2026. Congratulations Chester!
2. Outstanding Alumni Member Award: Vanessa Westbank was awarded the Maroon and White Award from her alma mater, Texas Woman's University, in Denton, Tx. Way to go, Vanessa!
3. Birthday dessert: Cheryl Petre volunteered to bring a yummy dessert to celebrate our May birthdays and anniversaries. Thank you, Cheryl! Looking forward to it!
REPORTS:
1. Third and final nomination announcement for 2026-2027 President nomination: Final voting for Kristi Dame will take place this week.
2. Scholarships: Scholarships were awarded, Thursday evening, at the San Marcos High School. Lots of praises go to our Scholarship Committee, as they chose the recipients from 44 applications. Thank you Rick Pickering, and Vanessa Westbank for attending and personally handing out these scholarship awards. arrangements are being made to have these recipients attend our meeting, to share their information and future plans.
3. Camp Workday: Lon Shell and Chase Dame plan to go to the McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp on May 14, 2026, to assess plans for adding storage shelves to the existing building, as it is unsure if we will continue to have access to the ramp workshop. Next workday is planned for May 16, 2026. Your help is definitely needed, as there is lots of work that needs to be done.
4. Grant Writing: Rona Walton, Kristi Dame, Susie Hernandez, and Emily Sousa have been meeting to work on the Hays County Social Service Grant application. They have made great progress on all the points that need to be made and hope to submit it by May 22, 2026. With all the available grant opportunities, the need for an establish Grant Committee, for next year, is being realized.
5. Good Citizen Camp: Kristi Dame and Emily Sousa have worked tirelessly to get the word out, and get campers signed up. First session is set for May 25-29, 2026. Remember to like and share on social media.
6. Fundraising Event with Murdoch's: Jennifer Richmond was contacted by Elizabeth Greene, with Murdoch's store about a fundraising event that the Kiwanis Club can participate in. This event is scheduled on June 13, 2026. During the 2-hour event, the Kiwanis club will cook and serve food provided by Murdoch's and will be held at Murdoch's. Chase Dame, Jennifer Richmond, and Penny Slavik have volunteered to man the booth, but all Kiwanis members are invited to come and help, as well. The meal is based on donations only, and all proceeds will go to our club. Spread the word, purchase your meal, and help our club.
7. San Marcos Chamber of Commerce Business Expo: Mark your calendars for Aug. 19, 2026, from 10:00-2:00. This is a great opportunity to promote our club membership and let the community know about our many accomplishments. Great volunteer opportunity!
Program: Being a Teacher
Jeanine Dooley gave an excellent program on the rewards and joys of being a teacher.
Jeanine Dooley did not plan to be a teacher. She never saw herself working with kids. She was going to be a Nurse. Her mother was a Nurse, and she was going to follow in her footsteps. That is until she began college and discovered that she was not cut out to be a nurse!
Jeanine did have a passion for working with internation students, though. As she contemplated a change in life goals, a friend encouraged her to work and teach students struggling with speaking, reading, and learning the English language, specifically students in which English was their secondary language, or ESL students. This sparked an interest that she did not foresee, and before she knew it, she was a 28-year veteran as an ESL teacher. During those 28 years, she taught kindergarten- 1st grade, and eventually moved into teaching middle school.
When asked what she liked most about teaching, she said "the children" she found that each student showed the most success in learning, if she taught them to read, first in their own language, and then the English language. She shared several stories about 2 particular students that held special memories for her, and how their lives and life paths were evidence that her time and patience was worth it.
Most of the students she worked with were Spanish speaking students on the elementary level, but after transitioning to the middle school level, she worked with a number of other languages, as well. She was challenged to write her own curriculum. One of her favorite units included an International Fair, put on by her students, for the entire school to participate in. Her students were able to wear traditional clothing, cook traditional food, and create displays promoting their country.
Jeanine retired in 2007 and moved to San Marcos to help set up a church. In her spare time, she travels overseas to teach Bible stories! What a great legacy knowing you have made a difference in the lives of children!
UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
May 14, 2026: Public Library and the Summer Reading Program with Jenigh Coleman
May 21, 2026: History of San Marcos (part 3) with Linda Coker
May 28, 2026: History of Grin's Restaurant with Paul Sutphen
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, May 16, 2026: Workday at McBride Wilson Kiwanis Camp
Wednesday, May 20, 2026: Board Meeting at CASA building, 5:00-6:30pm
May 25-29, 2026: 1st session of The Good Citizen Camp
June 13, 2026: Murdoch's store fundraiser
Aug. 19, 2026: Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, 10-2pm
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
May 8, 2026: Susie Hernandez's birthday
May 10, 2026: Kelli Whigham's birthday
May 18, 2026: Chester Bank's birthday
May 20, 2026; Kelli and Steve Whigham's wedding anniversary
May 23/24, 2026: Susie and husband's wedding anniversary
REMINDER:
Like and share any social media that mentions the Kiwanis Club. Bring a friend to our next meeting.
HUMOR AND MUSING:
The first public school in San Marcos started in 1868, was part of the Coronal Institute and was a Methodist High School. It was built on the former site of the Lamar Annex. The school’s initial success was due to its healthy climate. Yellow fever epidemics were hitting the schools in the coastal regions and in East Texas. The 1869 Coronal Catalog stated that, “out of 300 students received into the Institute within the last three years, not one death has occurred, and there has been only one single case of serious illness.”
Which tool is best for math? The multi-pliers.
What time would it be if Godzilla came to school? Time to run!
