Key Club fosters community and leadership at local high school

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Dedicated to service and leadership, our school’s Key Club Chapter has become more than just a club to its members. It has been a space for authenticity, meeting new people and giving back to the community.

Key Club hosts a variety of events, from volunteer beach cleanups to trips to Six Flags. It is a supportive community where everyone can help out and feel included. 

Senior and current Key Club President Sharlene Kaur says that she has been in Key Club since her freshman year and has had the opportunity to connect other motivated students at our school and across the United States.  

“My experience in Key Club has been amazing,” Kaur said. “I’ve met many new people from different schools and even across the country and I’ve tried many new things that I would have never expected to do with my position.”

As the president of the club, Kaur’s responsibilities consist of helping plan events as well as leading club meetings. 

“I work with the event coordinator to help plan events throughout the month,” she said. “Sometimes we plan events according to the season for the fall. We plan pumpkin patch events and corn mazes.”

Not only do members have the opportunity to have fun events such as their trip to Six Flags, but they are also supported through the other club members. 

“I believe Key Club at our school is important as it allows students to be involved in the community and become a family to each other,” Kaur explained. “It’s a place where everyone feels welcomed and students are able to meet new people and have many great opportunities.”

Senior, three-year committed member and former Tech Editor Hudson Mirsky discusses his time in Key Club as memorable and pleasant.

“Initially, I joined Key Club because I was dragged into it by my friends,” Mirsky said. “Then I came to love all the run volunteering events. My most memorable was the firecracker, which was a 5/10k race in Chinatown.”

As a Key Club member, he knows that there are a lot of events they should attend, but finds it rewarding in the end. 

“Cleanups, marathons, banquets, carnivals for elementary schools, spirit sessions and more,” he said. “I feel amazing after the events because I was able to do something that helped the community but was also fun. I feel like it’s been a great opportunity to grow leadership.”

Similarly, Senior Caden Evans, the current Tech Editor says that he was also brought to the club by his friends, but enjoys the community he has built with fellow members through the club. 

“Hudson recommended that I at least try out the club and I really enjoyed it,” said Evans. “The spirit and environment of the club is very fun and inclusive as I grew closer to many people within the club.”

Recently, Key Club had an event with students from across the state, which Evans described as a great chance to connect with other volunteers.

“The recent FRS (Fall Rally South) event at Six Flags is definitely the highlight of all my Key Club experiences,” Evans said. “In addition to spending time with my friends at Six Flags, getting to meet and interact with other Key Club members from around the state was extremely fun and interesting.”

Moreover, as a part of Key Club and Tech Editor, Evans feels that the club has helped him gain responsibility with the amount of tasks that he has to uphold. 

“I think Key Club has helped me expand skills such as management, social media management, media literacy, communication and much more,” he said.

The purpose of Key Club is to build relationships with other members and also the surrounding community. Senior William Schnider said that he has felt good by being a part of the club. 

“I’ve been a part of Key Club since the start of my sophomore year,” he said. “After the events I feel fulfilled. Sometimes they can be pretty tiring, so it’s relieving to have a long day’s worth of meaningful work done.”

The club also helps its members realize how easy it is to make an impact. If students are committed to service and put forth their best intentions, it’s not difficult to help out in the community. 

“I think the club has helped me realize how easy it can be to make a difference for people,” Schnider said. “Sometimes seeing the news and modern issues can be discouraging but it’s important to not get bogged down in events that are too large for me and just focus on what I can actually help with.”

The volunteering that members do doesn’t only consist of beach cleanups and marathon runs, but also connecting with younger generations. 

“My most memorable moment is playing handball at Burbank Elementary with kids to keep them busy before a festival,” Schnider said. “It’s really nice to interact with younger kids who are more genuine than some adults who have strict expectations from volunteers.”

In order to be a part of these service events, students are required to pay member dues, which go towards a variety of things.

“Member dues are payments that eventually go into scholarship money which helps us in return,” Kaur said. “Membership dues are 16 dollars and are split into 10 which goes internationally, into the budget, our membership card and pin. The other six goes to senior scholarships and committee budgets.”

Acts of service are never taken for granted and can also help develop life lessons and skills. It only takes a willingful attitude and commitment to make a difference in the community. 

Stop by room 520 on Thursdays during lunch to be a part of a welcoming atmosphere that aims to give back to the community.