Imagine this: a group of highly motivated students working together to make a greater future for their community. Doesn’t that sound great? Well, there is such a thing: Key Club!

Key Club is a student-run organization that provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. It was founded by the Kiwanis program in 1925, near Sacramento, California. Kiwanis was a service club for adults, and eventually branched out and created “Key Club:” a service club for teens. The new program grew rapidly and expanded throughout the country. It became so successful, that it is now international. There are Key Clubs in almost all of North America; from Toronto to Chicago, and even the Bahamas.

I have been a member of Key Club since my freshman year. This year, I was chosen to be the sophomore representative.

The club has been a big part of important events, such as the March of Dimes, the Light the Night walk that took place in September, and the biggest event, the Safe Trick-or-Treat party hosted for little kids.

For eight years Shannon Swonger, an English teacher at ENHS, has been the official advisor. She explained how important Key Club was to her and her peers. “I want kids to know how good it feels to help others,” she said with a smile on her face. “I grew up doing community service, and I want other people to know how awesome it feels to help somebody that can’t help you back.” Swonger also exclaimed that Key Club is basically her life, and how everything she does (jokingly) revolves around it!

Sophomore Adriana Escalante, a member of Key Club since 2014, expressed how great the club really is and shared her favorite memory. “I think my favorite thing was when he held the Safe Trick-or-Treat party for kids.”

I can proudly say that Key Club is very important to me. It has really shown me how important it is to help others and the benefits that come out of it too.

Key Club is always looking for new members. It is a great club to join if you want to make an impact on someone’s life, or even your own.