UCLA’s chapter of Circle K International (CKI) won several awards at the 60th Annual Circle K International Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 24-27. UCLA CKI placed in four competitive categories in addition to an oratorical contest. With 304 members, the chapter raised more than $21,400 for charities such as UNICEF and volunteered more than 17,500 service hours for organizations such as the Los Angeles Food Bank and Whole Planet Foundation this past year.
The UCLA Chapter was awarded first place in Club Achievement in the Platinum Division (86 or more members). UCLA has now placed first in seven of the past eight years in this top category.
UCLA also received 2nd Place Kiwanis Family Relations (Thien Tran, Kiwanis Family Network Chair and Josef Madrigal, Kiwanis Family Youth Chair), 2nd Place Club Video (Juliana Deer, Media Relations Chair), and 2ndPlace The Eliminate Project (Benson Ho, Treasurer and Jong Choi, District Fundraising Initiatives Chair).
In addition to the club-level awards, UCLA member Nick Stringfellow placed first in the Oratorical Contest. This year’s Oratorical Contest, created to provide members an opportunity to express their experiences in the organization through a speech, focused on what Kiwanis International would celebrate this year at its centennial.
“Receiving the 1st Place Achievement for Platinum Division is truly an honor, giving us the distinct pleasure of being called the best Circle K club in the world.” said Benjamin Wu, 2014-2015 UCLA CKI President. “This award would not have been possible without the effort and passion of our selfless members serving the community and becoming future leaders, with new and innovative small and large scale projects and events, the progression of committees, and the creation of a unique tight-knit families and bonds we have created over these past few years. I want each member of UCLA Circle K to be proud of their individual contributions in building the club to what it has become today, and to let this award serve as inspiration. In continuing to serve the community and upholding the UCLA Circle K standard, our potential to grow as a club will be limitless.”
