Kiwanis Club of Cheney - November 20, 2014 meeting notes


The meeting was called to order just before 7am by President Tom Whitfield.  There were 19 members plus 12 guests.  Our guests included 6 potential members as well as 6 people who spoke to the club.
    1. Theresa, from East Spokane and our Lt. Gov. elect, spoke about Paint-a-Helmet and their club's theatre fundraiser for it. 

    2.  Tony Blount, with Boots and Spurs and Stars and Stripes spoke about their December 7 fundraiser and had signed EWU football and basketball on display.  These will be auctioned off at the December 7 event.


    3.  Troy Hewett, assistant principal at Cheney High School presented the outstanding students for November:  Mackenzie Norman and Matt Peterson.  Mackenzie is a sophomore who just took first at the state 2A swimming championship in the 100 yard freestyle.   She told us that the Cheney girls team placed 10th overall and all three relay teams placed within the top 11.  Matt participates in the marching band which placed 2nd overall in a statewide competition for high schools of all sizes.  He said that having new band equipment this year allowed the band to perform its best.  He is a senior who plans to attend EWU and wants to get a Masters in music. 


  4.   Our main speaker was Jim Fitzgerald, the Assistant Athletic Director for Academics at EWU.  He told us about the study hall program for athletes:  coaches can assign athletes to study hall or athletes can drop in on their own.  EWU athletes have a 3.3 overall GPA and a 75% graduation rate; both are higher than average.   EWU places highly in the Big Sky President's Cup which recognizes athletic programs with high levels of GPA, community service and wins. 
5.  The last speaker was Sally Shamp with Cheney Outreach who sang to us about Christmas Gifts for Cheney Kids.  Last year close to 200 kids were served and about half were teens.  Donation boxes are out in Cheney businesses, the library and at EWU.  Cash donations help and can be mailed to PO Box 444 in Cheney.  The gift distribution set up will start at 5pm on December 18 at Wren Pierson.  Volunteers should call 235-8900 and leave their name and phone.


The meeting was adjourned at 8am.