Playing the Service Card

March 31, 2010  
Filed under News

“Caring – Our way of life,” became the Key Club motto in 1978. Key Club is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. Ottawa High School students, 12 key club members, traveled to Lawrence and stayed two nights at the Lawrence Holiday in for the 60^th annual Key Club Kansas State Convention.

“Some of the main reasons I like students to go to state convention is to get fresh ideas for the upcoming year from other students and schools. It is also good for our students to meet new people; networking,” Kristi Miller, OHS Key Club advisor, said.

Sharing ideas about how to serve others and gaining leadership skills is what this convention is all about.

“I learned a lot of valuable leadership skills to bring to the club as an officer next year,” Lindsey Leadbetter, OHS Key Club treasurer, said.

Mingling with people from other clubs is something else that goes on at this convention.

“It was a good opportunity to meet new people from around the state. There were tons of good workshops on how to gain new members and how we can collaborate with other key clubs in our area. Remember: It’s we, not them or me!” junior Jake Huddleston said.

Another large reason Key Club members attend state convention is to retire the state board and elect the new board for the following school year.

“Members who were not running for the state board attended caucuses to learn more about the candidates. They asked them questions, mostly relating to their position. It was nice to hear their views, and I learned a lot from them. They gave me many ideas that I plan to share with my club,” junior and Key Club secretary Angela Geist said.

It is not all about official Key Club business at state convention; many students go to have a great experience.

“I of course went to get ideas for the club, but I also went to have a fun weekend away from home and meet new people,” senior Holly Guge said.

This year’s theme was “play the service card,” having to do with gambling.

“The theme gave me a new perspective on some projects and allowed me to see what key club was all about in a whole new way,” junior Andrew Fangman said.

There are plenty of reasons why these students chose to attend the convention. They learned new leadership skills, met new people, elected the new board and had a great time over all.

“It is important to have the kids see there are other active clubs in the state. And for them to see the formal procedures that go on during meeting. We are a more casual club here at OHS. It is important to me to take them and see if any are interested in running for the board, as we have had older members run in the past,” Mike Kayriakos, OHS key club advisor, said.

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Abby New

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