 Nick Katsoris autographs books given to Key Clubs by IPLG Ann Torcivia of the Joey Foundation |
 GC Tech Key Club with Loukoumi |
Nearly 50 Key Clubbers and Kiwanians gathered at the Nassau Library System to learn more about the new Key Club International Partner Project Happiness in a program organized by the Nassau County Unity Kiwanis club. This project addresses bullying by spreading happiness in schools and communities. Research shows that happy people are less likely to bully others and are more able to counter the negative effects of bullying.
Attendees were treated to an anti-bullying presentation by nationally known children’s book author and Kiwanian Nick Katsoris. Nick discussed the roles different individuals play in bullying and how youth can deny bullies the power that allows them to bully. An animated version of Nick’s latest book Loukoumi and the Schoolyard Bully was shown. After a special appearance by Loukoumi, the main character in Nick’s books, the Key Clubbers had an opportunity to take photos with Loukoumi and Nick.
Through a grant from the Joey Foundation, each Key Club in attendance received an autographed copy of "Loukoumi and the Schoolyard Bully" to use in running anti-bullying workshops in elementary schools. Each Key Clubber also received a CD with the Key Club Guide to Project Happiness, a Project Happiness poster, a template for Happiness buttons and a study guide to the Project Happiness video.
The program continued with a screening of the Project Happiness video. This video depicts the origins of the happiness movement showing high school students in California, Nigeria and India exploring the universality and meaning of happiness. These students interviewed Richard Gere, George Lucas and the Dalai Lama among others in their exploration of happiness. While the video offers many more questions than answers, one clear message is that true joy comes from helping others.
(Posted November 19, 2014)
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