Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis Governor Bob Quinton visited the Durant Kiwanis Club, the second largest club in Oklahoma. Gov. Quinton shared several goals for District 8 Kiwanis clubs during his tenure as governor. The governor’s theme concerns children, “Making Their World a Better Place.”
Quinton reminded members that “Children have never needed Kiwanis more.” Turmoil and poverty are taking their toll on our world’s children. He feels that since the pandemic, adults are looking for ways to serve.
To increase club membership, the governor’s mantra is “Build, Nurture, Retain.” The T-O District has 199 active clubs with a total of 4,853 active members. But he feels more members are needed to meet the needs of community children. Building local memberships as well as sponsoring new clubs is essential. The district goal is to establish fifteen new Kiwanis clubs with fifteen paid memberships for each club.
Gov. Quinton also emphasized the importance of establishing more high school Key Clubs and college/ university Circle K Clubs. The challenges to each District 8 Kiwanis Club is to donate ten dollars per member to aid the Kiwanis International Children’s Fund, to sponsor a new Kiwanis Club in their area, to develop Key Clubs in area high schools, to found a Circle K International or Action Club.
Durant Kiwanians also recognized December’s Students of the Month. Durant High School Kiwanis Student of the Month is Pablo Vazquez. Vazquez is a member of the DHS HOSA and through Oklahoma HOSA attended the Washington National Leadership Academy. He is also among the Bryan County EMS graduates. He plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Vazquez was presented a certificate and a gift card. He will be considered along with all Students of the Month to be awarded Kiwanis Student of the Year and a $1,000 scholarship. Also attending the ceremony were his mother, Jessica Vazquez; his sister, Britany Vazquez; and Durant High School Principal Cheryl Conditt.
Kiwanis Bryan County Senior of the Month is Logan Busby representing Caddo High School. Busby has earned a GPA of 4.0 while concurrently enrolled at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She has been named a three-year member of the National Honor Society and will be this year’s valedictorian. Her future plans include majoring in occupational therapy.
Busby is a member of Caddo’s fastpitch softball State Champion team. Busby also makes time to help her community. She helps prepare for Caddo Heritage Days, delivers Thanksgiving meals, and helps organize the Angel Tree Christmas project.
Busby was awarded a certificate and gift card. She will be eligible to be considered for the Kiwanis Bryan County Senior of the Year and a $1,000 scholarship. Attending the meeting with her were her parents J.T. and Taryn Busby.
