Leah Joyner, Staff Writer
The Wingate University Leo Club welcomed new members into their organization last Tuesday at a special Induction Ceremony hosted by the Wingate Lions Club at the Wingate Baptist Fellowship Hall. For the ceremony, the upcoming Leo Club Officers were installed, new t-shirts were distributed to members and everyone celebrated the 100th birthday of the Lions Club International .
Leo Club, which was formed on Wingate’s campus last year, is a service organization that focuses on spreading awareness to the community about visual impairment. Throughout the year they host several community service opportunities for members to get involved in, and that is exactly what the Wingate Lions are doing. .
“I think the Induction Ceremony went really well. The Lions Club did a nice job putting it on, and it made me feel like our club was really capable of making an impact in the community. I hope that the Leo Club continues to grow and that we are able to help more people in the community,” said Bailey Freeburn, WU Leo Club Treasurer.
At the start of the evening, Leo Club members were welcomed by Wingate Lions Club members with pizza and warm smiles. After some social time, Wingate Lions Club member Dale Dupree spoke about the Lions Club International and his involvement with the Wingate Lions Club branch.
Dupree is also the liaison between the two clubs. One of the things he shared was that Leo Club stands for “Leadership, Experience, and Opportunity” as young adults strive to develop valuable leadership skills, make new friends, and have fun while offering humanitarian services to their community.
Dupree then asked the District Lions Club Cabinet Treasurer, Harvey Whitley to install the new Leo Club members and WU Club Officers. Gabrielle Slabaugh was inducted as President, Caroline Rumley as Vice President, Katlyn Nicholas as Secretary, Bailey Freeburn as Treasure, and Sydney Walker as the Public Relations Chairperson.
“The Induction Ceremony was significant because it marks the Wingate Centennial Omega Leo Club as an official registered and certified Leo Club. For the future, we look forward to serving the community through visual activities and recycling/clean-up projects.” said Gabrielle Slabaugh.
Known around campus as “The Bulldogs that Roar,” the Leos have been known to help pick up trash along the road, send letters to soldiers, and host the Blind Olympics, all to spread awareness about the visually impaired. This year they hope to expand by reaching out to the community and helping the Wingate Lions Club with their programs.
“Leo Club has really helped me learn more about some issues facing people in the community. Before I joined Leo Club I didn’t realize how many people suffered from visual impairments in this area, and so I think this club has helped me become more aware,” said Freeburn.
On Wingate University’s campus, Leo Club has meetings every other Tuesday night at 6:30pm and the next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 24 in Hayes 202. Their next community service event will be the Letters to Soldiers table on November 7 from around 5p.m.-8p.m. where students can come write letters to those in the military.
If you are interested in joining the Leo Club, come to a meeting or contact Gabrielle Slabaugh at ga.slabaugh003@wingate.edu or Caroline Rumley at ca.rumley171@wingate.edu.
Edited by: Brea Childs
Wingate Triangle 