Photo: 2023-24 Leo Club Officers after being inducted during the Murray High Leo Club Charter Night (L to R): Madelyn Myers as Treasurer, Ella Parker as Secretary, Grace Cunha as President and Matthew Ashlock as Vice-President.
The Murray High School Leo Club held their Inaugural Charter Night on Tuesday, April 11th at Murray Woman’s Club during the Murray Lions April club meeting. There were 82 in attendance, including 22 Leos wearing their new club shirts.
Lions District 43K representatives included District Governor Jimmy Tipton, First Vice District Governor William “Bill” Pater, Past International Director Shea Nickell, and Lions from several clubs were in attendance.
Led by master of ceremonies Murray Lions Club President AJ Cunha, the event focused on “community service and the impact of serving others.” Cunha spoke from the heart about the importance of community service, investment in our youth, and the local impact the Murray High Leo Club will make.
“It’s so important that youth understand the value of community service and that it can go beyond a service project for their community. Being a part of an organization like Leo Club offers a globally organized service approach to make a difference across the world, and now Murray High is a part of that,” said Cunha.
LEO stands for: Leadership, Experience and Opportunity. Leo Club is an international level club with clubs in over 150 countries and has over 145,000 members. The club offers convention opportunities to network with other Leos in the United States and other countries, local scholarships, and mentorship from the Murray Lions Club.
Murray Independent School District Superintendent Coy Samons, Board Members Adam Seiber and Shawn Smee, were in attendance to show their support. The new Murray High Leo Club’s Faculty Advisors, Mrs. Sarah Hultman and Mrs. Haley Burchett were introduced and able to share a little about themselves.
The enlarged charter was presented for all charter members to sign upon being pinned by the Lions 43K District Governor Jimmy Tipton and Murray Lions Past President Doug Crafton. Additionally, the four elected officers were officially installed by the Past International Director Shea Nickell. The first ever Leo Club Officers were elected by their peers during a club meeting, and they are Grace Cunha as President, Matthew Ashlock as Vice-President, Ella Parker as Secretary and Madelyn Myers as Treasurer. The club currently has 46 members.
Grace Cunha, President of the Murray High School LEO Club, and Leo Member Emma Hayes introduced the Leo Club mascot, Arvin, to all in attendance. Arvin, a mini stuffed lion will be present at club meetings, social events, projects and may have future speaking parts at events. The name Arvin was chosen by the club to honor and remember late Lion Arvin Crafton, who recently passed away and was a Murray Lions Club member for 55 years. During his years as a Lion, Crafton served in various leadership roles locally, regionally and at the state level, including Lions District Governor for Kentucky in 1988 and had always wanted to charter a Leo Club at Murray High School.
The guest speaker of the evening was Past International Director Shea Nickell who spoke of the value of giving back to community, others and becoming a part of a solution when a problem arises. Nickell also spoke on the feeling and value of a lifetime of giving through service. He addressed the Leos directly and mentioned that during their time as Leos at Murray High, new friendships would be built, leadership skills will be developed, and an impact will be made in the community.
The first Murray High Leo Club service project will be spring cleaning of the Lions Skatepark on Saturday, April 22nd in support of Earth Day in support of the Lion's Club adage,
Where there’s a need, there’s a Leo!”