April 2019
A fellow Kiwanian and a junior at my high school walked into my classroom and plopped themselves down in front of me - sounds like the beginning of a good old-style joke. They both had huge smiles on their faces and the student began with “Hi Ms. Watanabe...,” I knew a request was coming and I knew the Kiwanian with her probably suggested the student ask me. All I could think of as I listened to her request was, “Kids need Kiwanis,” and so I said, “yes,” to her request with a stipulation, I had a prior commitment so I needed to leave at 11:00 a.m.
No matter how busy we are, we are there for the children. If we can squeeze their request in, we will. Kiwanis are all about service and the request for my assistance was because the Leo Club needed an advisor to accompany them on a service project. Without my presence, the Leos would have to cancel their service project and disappoint the Lions they were assisting. It was not the Key Club that was asking but it was the Leo Club. I did not hesitate and thought this would make a great article, especially because I wore my Key Club Komohana shirt to the Wahiawa Lions Club breakfast!
~ Judy Watanabe