Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club

by Bruce Malkin

On June 15, Del. Scott Surovell, who represents the Mount Vernon area in the Virginia Legislative Assembly, spoke to the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club at its dinner meeting at the Mount Vernon Country Club (MVKC).  He outlined the major issues and difficult processes for getting quick action toward solutions.  He emphasized the importance of the passage of his bill on a Transit Study needed to begin the process of attaining major improvements in the Route 1 corridor, and demonstrated an encyclopedic understanding of the background of key issues in transportation, education, and commercial development in our area and elsewhere in Northern Virginia.  At the end, he answered questions from MVKC members and students from the West Potomac High School Key Club, which is sponsored by MVKC. 

Del. Scott Surovell (at left) is thanked by MVKC President Kahan Dhillon after the presentation

On June 3, the Kiwanis K-Kids Club at Stratford Landing Elementary School (SLES), which is sponsored by the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club (MVKC), celebrated its 3rd Anniversary of being chartered with an extensive program and a catered dinner.  After a Welcome by the President, Jena Elshami, there were special remarks by Paul Mehler, the MVKC Advisor, and Maura Caulfield, SLES Principal.  Lindsey Mongan, a former K-Kids President and now a member of the Kiwanis Builders Club at Carl Sandburg Middle School, was the Guest Speaker.  About 20 of the members present received their Certificates of Recognition for community service from Principal Caulfield and Parent Leaders Kate Penn and Lorna Helal.   A slideshow made by Historian Olivia Helal of the year's activities of helping others and cleaning the environment was run throughout the evening.  A lot of food was available for dinner for all the guests and parents and students.

Historian Olivia Helal speaks about the Year In Review

From left at rear row, Secretary Caroline Leibowitz, Parent Leader Kate Penn, President Jena Elshami, Guest Speaker Lindsey Mongan, SLES Principal Maura Caulfield, MVKC Advisor Paul Mehler; kneeling from left, Parent Leader Lorna Helal holding Historian Olivia Helal, Treasurer Jenna Mulvihill, VP Lily Penn

Boy Scout Troop 1651 of Mount Vernon consists of six physically or intellectually challenged boys, but they are just as active as any other Troop in the country.  On June 7, Troop Leader Anne Tuccillo, outlined all the activities and achievements they have accomplished in the past year to the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club, its sponsoring organization, at a meeting at the Mount Vernon Country Club.  The members of this Troop have earned merit badges for music and scholarship and done many activities, such as horseback riding, camping, rock climbing, constructing hand-made musical instruments, and performing in a talent show using them.  This is one of the few such Boy Scout Troops in the country and the MVKC is proud to help them do as much as they want.

Pictured are the boys and their leaders.  From the left, they are Christian Ford, William Blair, Daniel Vasquez, Joseph Cahill, Anne Tuccillo, Bryan Tuccillo, Matthew Shaw, Patrick Thacker, and Teresa Wilson.