Dawn Flax

“If we all do our part, we can change our world”.

They’re wise enough words that they would be right at home in an inspirational speech or on a motivational poster, but in this case they come from Dawn Flax, who says this is part of the life philosophy she has developed through her time with KAY.

Dawn joined Kayettes when she moved to Ransom in her Junior year of high school. Her previous school didn’t have Kayettes, and she was excited for the opportunity to join because she remembered that as a kid she watched her aunt and cousins enjoy their time in the organization.

Dawn says KAY helped her to develop leadership and cooperative skills, and taught her the importance of citizenship and service. “One of the most important lessons I learned is that one person or a small group can make a difference.” Flax says. “People don’t need to wait for others or a big “movement” to make a change. Sometimes it’s the small things that can make the biggest difference to someone.”

Dawn has carried those lessons with her through the years and they’ve helped lead to her success as a teacher and as a Kayette and KAY sponsor.  “I’m much more aware of the importance of service to others, especially since being a sponsor. I try and make it a point every day to do some sort of service. It can be as simple as picking up trash as I’m walking from school to school or down hallways. I try to be involved in church, school, and community activities if I can.”

Now, she’s served as the Kayette sponsor at Satanta High and KAY sponsor at Hodgeman County High School. One of the things she gets to do is take campers to and from KAY camp, and although she was never able to attend herself as a camper, she says she loves having the opportunity to hear the campers’ stories about the great times they have there.

She has fond memories of her time in Kayettes, especially the opportunities she had to become close with the others on the KAY board and the fun they had getting together to make plans for the club. She says one of her favorite service projects was a trick-or-treat event for UNICEF, and that she remembers how great it was to get to dress in costume and watch how much fun the kids has as they came through.

“KAY is so beneficial to students.” Dawn says. “My hope is that KAY continues to reach the students in Kansas and influence them to be leaders of service. I hope it continues to thrive and not fall victim to school funding issues in Kansas. I’d like to see more schools become involved in KAY.”