Lions Sponsor High School Club

By Tanjua Damon

The former Newtown High School Key Club has now become the LEO Club and will be sponsored by the Newtown Lions Club.

The announcement was made Wednesday night at the Inn at Newtown during the Lions Club meeting. The newly named club’s officers and advisor attended the meeting.

The only thing that has really changed about the high school club is its name. The LEO Club will continue to do charitable work just like they have in the past, but will add a few more things to their community service this year. LEO stands for leadership, experience, and opportunity.

“We do charitable things in the community and school,” LEO Club Vice President Andrew Beck said. “The Lions are now the LEO Club’s sponsor.”

The high school club raises funds for national organizations like the Cancer Society and Heart Association, Andrew said. The group also makes cookies for teachers throughout the year as a friendly gesture for all the work they do.

LEO Club President Tracy Ravetto said the group will continue the efforts of the former Key Club, but will also try some new things now that the Newtown Lions are sponsoring them.

“We will continue Key Club activities like shopping for needy families at Christmas, the Valentine’s Day survey,” she said. “But we will also try tutoring, habitat for humanity, and helping out elementary school clubs.”

A Halloween project is also on the minds of the LEO Club. There are about 15 to 20 members in the group. They are also trying to recruit more freshman members, according to Secretary Jennifer Haghpanah.

Tracy said now that the Lions Club has become the group’s sponsor more things will be able to be done.

“I think we will be more active because of it,” she said. “Mr Swanhall has already been in contact with us.”

Nationally, the Lions are known for their efforts with sight, diabetes, and raising funds for community projects. The local Lions Club and the LEO Club will join to continue community service, according to Lions advisor Carl Swanhall.

“It’s another way of getting youth involved in the same things the Lions do,” Mr Swanhall said. “These kids will be doing their own things too.”

In 1968, the Lions Club began a youth program called the LEO Club, according to Lion James Creamer of District 23A, Fairfield and New Haven Counties. There are over 5,600 internationally out of 138 countries and geographical areas. There are 22 clubs throughout Connecticut.

The high school advisor for the club is Chuck Mann and Lion member Jerry Cole will also be helping with the new LEO Club.