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WHATKICKSTARTKIDSMEANSTO ME:“I can’t say forsure how mylife would bewithout KICKSTARTKIDS but Ireally don’t wantto imagine it anyother way.”A WORDFROM OURDIRECTORFrom John KurekKICKSTART KIDS isin full swing this year!After a smooth and successful start,October marked the beginning of ourannual KICKSTART KIDS student fundraiser.This year the students and theirfamilies rallied for the cause and raised awhopping $130,000!!! Success of thismagnitude is a reminder of how muchour KSK families believe in our missionto empower young people. In working tobuild character, nothing is more rewardingthan to watch our students handle theresponsibility and work it takes tofacilitate a result of this magnitude.KICKSTART KIDS will be conductingits first City Championship Qualifiercompetitions within our individual cities.This is a great opportunity to gage skilldevelopment in our students, not tomention the opportunity to shape theirconfidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork! It is awesome to see thousandsof students from all walks of life gathertogether with a common goal and towitness the respect and self-discipline,many think are missing in today’s youth,being displayed by all of our KICKSTARTKIDS!Thank you to all of our great supportersout there. Your dollars are going to greatuse and are making tremendous impactand systemic change in our communitiesin Texas!Sincerely,John KurekDirector of Operations~ Nicolas P.“Mr. Nguyenbelieved that Icould be morethan I alreadywas, and he wasright. Thanks tohis encouragingwords andconstant pushing,I became abetter student,friend and son.”~ Steven M.RACHEL’S CHALLENGEThis school year marks the first yearof KICKSTART KIDS’ partnership withRachel’s Challenge. Rachel’s Challengeis an organization focused on inspiring,equipping, and empowering studentsto create a permanent positive culturechange in their school and communityby starting a chain reaction of kindnessand compassion.Driven by the organization’s namesakeRachel Scott, who was the firstperson killed at Columbine High School,their objectives are to create a safelearning environment for studentsby re-establishing civility and deliveringproactive anecdotes to school violenceand bullying. The work of Rachel’sChallenge has clear overlap with ourown work at KICKSTART KIDS.Rachel’s acts of kindness andcompassion coupled with the contentsof her six diaries have become thefoundation for one of the mostlife-changing school programs inAmerica. Not only do they create a saferenvironment, they – like KICKSTARTKIDS – inspire academic achievementby engaging students’ hearts,heads, and hands in the learningprocess. KSK along with Rachel’sChallenge promote a positive culturein students through core values andrandom acts of kindness.Every month, KICKSTART KIDSinstructors focus on one of the valuesthat Rachel worked to share with the world.These values are supported with athleticactivities and life stories to help instillthese lessons into our students.Rachel’s Challenge for November is:REACHING OUTDefinition: To succeed in communicatingwith or having an effect on another.

T-SHIRT FUND RAISERTOP SELLING STUDENTSSPOTLIGHTOctober was a busy month forKSK students all across Texas, whoshowed their support by askingfriends, relatives and communitymembers to participate in ourT-shirt Fund raiser which will in turnhelp fund the KSK program. Our topselling students (listed below)received special prizes and will bepresenting checks to Mr. Norrisat upcoming belt ceremonies.Congratulations to all of ourstudents and supporters who madethis fund raiser such a success!DALLAS AREA TOP SELLERSDeMarcus Lusk – (Sam Houston) $405.00Kianna Eli – (Polk MS) $385.00Jacob Banda – (Bowie MS) $375.00Katie Maberry – (Bowie MS) $360.00AUSTIN AREA TOP SELLERSRodney Carter – (Kelly Lane) $2,125.00Parker Foreman – (Kelly Lane) $750.00Ryan Ames – (West View) $660.00BRYAN/NAVASOTA AREA TOP SELLERSTaylor Wyoma – (Jane Long) $454.00Enrique Molina – (Davila) $397.00Louis Ruffino – (Davila) $397.00HOUSTON AREA TOP SELLERSDesirae Bugaj – (Hamilton) $1,186.00Brittany Davis – (Garcia) $1,045.00Ebony Spiller – (Central) $825.00Andrea Hepler – (Jane Long) $666.00KICKSTART KIDS AREA UPDATESCENTRAL TEXASFROM PAM OWENSThe focus for the Central Texasteam is digging deeper in November.We are working on delivering thebest instruction in the classroomsand cultivating new relationships inthe community. We are pleased tobring aboard a new statewide supportin Kohl’s Department Stores as wellas regional support with Sam’s Club.Our students eagerly andenthusiastically worked hard on thetee shirt fundraiser! A big thank yougoes to the students, instructors,parents, and community supporterswho actively helped us sell recordnumbers at several of our schools.We are gearing up for ourDecember belt ceremonies and welcomeall volunteer support to serve ina variety of capacities. Currently weare interested in community membersjoining our Community Boards in thePflugerville/Austin area and in Bryanand Navasota, and joining our CentralTexas Small Business Initiative. If youare interested in serving on behalf ofKICKSTART KIDS, please contact PamOwens at: powens@kickstartkids.orgor by phone at: 512-989-7950.NORTH TEXASFROM MARISSA LEACHThe development team hadthe privilege to exhibit and presentKSK to school board membersand superintendents at TASA/TASB in early October. What a greatway to bring awareness to KSK!!It was also a great opportunity to visitwith our existing participating schools.North Texas is very proudof their students for theirperformance at the Martial ArtsExtravaganza on October 29,2011 at CFBISD’s Dan F. LongMiddle School. Our very own KSKinstructors performed throughoutthe event which was inspiringto all the spectators. CFB’s BarbaraBush Middle School led byRobbie Oliver are the 2011-2012MAE Demo Team Champions.A great big “thanks” for all thevolunteers and supporters thatmade it a successful event.Our prayers and condolences toone of our dearest KSK friends,Charlie O’Reilly and his family forthe recent loss of his brother HughO’Reilly from Emporia, Kansas.May you find peace in his memory.GREATER HOUSTONFROM TAMMY BENEFIELNovember is off to a great startand we have some exciting eventsheaded our way. Our students havebeen working hard to earn theirnew belt ranks and are enthusiasticabout showcasing their new skills.We would love for all of you to comeout and support our students byattending our December beltceremonies. For more informationon belt ceremonies, please visit ourwebsite at www.kickstartkids.organd click on the “Events” tab.Let’s begin the systemic changein your community… Ask me how tobecome a “Belt Ceremony Sponsor”and YOU can “be the difference!”Also, please Save the Date forour 19th Annual Houston Gala andTennis Event which will be held onFriday, April 20, 2012 at the RiverOaks Country Club.Calling all parents in Fort BendISD…we are looking for committedparents to help us form a KSKParent Board in your area. If you areinterested please contact me at theemail address below.

KICKSTART KIDS3800 N. Shepherd, Suite 3800BHouston, TX 77018ICKSTART KIDS800 N. Shepherd Dr. Ste. 3800Bouston, TX 77018NONPROFIT ORG.US POSTAGEPAIDHOUSTON TXPERMIT NO 8162KICKSTART KIDS CONTACT INFOMEET THE KICKSTART KIDS ADMINISTRATION STAFFNORTH TEXASMarissa Leachmleach@kickstartkids.org214-704-7773Houston TX Office3800 N. Shepherd Street, Suite 3800BHouston, TX 77018Phone (713) 868-6003Fax (713) 880-1279www.kickstartkids.orgJohn KurekDirector of InstructorsGinny HargraveDirector of AdministrationDoug WeaverDirector of FinanceTammy BenefielCommunity & DevelopmentAssociateJesse DuBordMultimedia SpecialistCENTRAL TEXASChairman & Co-ChairmanChuck NorrisGena NorrisPam Owenspowens@kickstartkids.org512-736-0493Roy WhiteHouston City LeaderJoey NelsonGENERAL Dallas INFOCity Leaderphone - 713-868-6003fax - 713-880-1279email - mail@kickstartkids.orgweb - kickstartkids.orgLouis McKayCentral Texas Area LeaderMarissa LeachCommunity Development ManagerPam OwensCentral Texas Community DevelopmentManagerGREATER HOUSTONTammy Benefieltbenefiel@kickstartkids.org832-230-6433be the difference.