Parkland Magnet Middle School for Aerospace Builders Club Third Annual Charter Night
by Jessica Medrano, representing the Builders Club

The Builders Club Third Annual Charter Night was held on February 28, 2008. Charter Night is a ceremony to install new officers of the Builders Club, such as the new club Treasurer Jay Sanchez-Paz and all our new Members. All new members receive their Builders Club Pins, membership card, certificate, a cup, pencils, candy and more. Charter Night also celebrates all the Builders Clubs accomplishments of the past year and the 3rd anniversary of the Club. The Builders Club members, parents, faculty and guests get together have refreshments and enjoy the Charter Night Program. Pictured left are members of the Builders Club. Pictured right l to r are Principal Dr. OuYang, School Advisor, Ms. Ng, Kiwanis Advisor, Karla Daly, Betty Gardiner, IPLG and founder, and Eddie Koebke, DPLG and SLP Chairman.

Our sponsors, Mrs. Ng and Mrs. Karla Daly are extremely proud of all of our accomplishments this past year. Dr. Ou Young tells us "The Builders Club does very good things for our school and our community." The special guests during the celebration are our sponsors The Key Club from Wheaton High School and Kiwanis Club of Wheaton-Silver Spring. Both of which sponsor us and have helped The Builders Club with many of our projects. Another guest we are proud to have present is Kathy Hambrecht from the House of Hope Maryland.

Kathy Hambrect is the Founder of The House of Hope Maryland. The purpose of The House of Hope is to establish hope and happiness back to troubled teens who have been abused or been treated very badly. They have a school in Orlando, Florida but here in Maryland they are trying to establish a school for troubled teens as well just like in Orlando but right now they are in Olney, Maryland as a local charity providing counselors to treat families who are falling apart. Throughout a normal day in House of Hope school teens have regular classes such as English, Math, Social Studies and Science but also learn to move on with their life and heal from their past. The goal of House of Hope Maryland is to establish a school here, like in Orlando as soon a possible. The Builders Club has been trying to help. For example, the Builders Club raised $502 at the WinterFest Dance and donated it to the House of Hope Maryland. The Builders Club donated this money and funds to House of Hope so they are able to reach this goal as soon as possible. The Builders Club President Clay Palmer and Member Natalie Satche presented the check to Kathy Hambrecht. Kathy Hambrecht handed out House of Hope T-shirts to everyone.

The Kiwanis Wheaton Silver Spring Club and Wheaton Key Club have been helping our Builders Club for three years and are very impressed with our many activities and all of that we have done for the school. The Kiwanis Club is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child one community at a time. It is a non-profit, international organization of volunteers dedicated to reach their goal. They have 8 Kiwanis Clubs in Montgomery County. Kiwanis helps children charities with all the money raised from the community projects. The Builders Club right now is raising money for Beanies for Baghdad and will send toys to Baghdad, Iraq so the children can experiment the culture of the children in America. Mrs. Betty Gardiner is the Founding Kiwanis Advisor for our Parkland Magnet Middle School Builders Club 3 years ago in the spring of 2005 along with Mr. Eddie Koebke who is also the Wheaton High School Key Club Kiwanis Advisor. We thank them for their dedication to our Builders Club.

The Key Club, another guest, are also sponsors of the Builders Club. The Key Club is just like the Builders Club but at a High School level. The sponsor of The Key Club Mr. Eddie Koebke has helped us with many of the projects in the school and community. Mr. Eddie Koebke has been sponsoring the Key Club for nearly 20 years. Also, helping us for the last three years make this a great Builders Club.

The Builders Club right now is working on Beanies for Baghdad and will stop soon so hurry up and bring those toys because we have to ship them soon! Also, remember you can always come as a guest or maybe think about joining the Builders Club. Just come by Ms. Ng's room on Thursdays after school in room 2018. Hopefully we'll see you soon!