The 2026 Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District Convention was held in Texarkana, Texas, from July 24-26, attracting over 300 Kiwanis members and student leaders. The event took place at the Texarkana Convention Center and included leadership development sessions, educational workshops, and community service projects.
Convention Highlights
Fifty-eight student leaders from Key Club and Circle K International chapters attended the convention. Mayor Bob Bruggeman presented a joint proclamation with the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, officially recognizing July 24 as Texas-Oklahoma Kiwanis District Day.
One of the convention’s keynote speakers was Texarkana native Byron Williams, who played in the NFL for the New York Giants and Green Bay Packers. Williams spoke on lessons from his book, “The Playbook of Life,” encouraging attendees to apply principles such as preparation, teamwork, perseverance, discipline, and character to leadership and everyday life.
Convention attendees participated in several community service initiatives, including collecting nonperishable food for the East Texas Food Bank, donating children’s books to We Are Washington, and raising money through a silent auction benefiting Beds for Kids.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
