Key Club started May 7, 1925 in Sacramento, California. Females became a part of this club in 1976. This hits home since this year, five out of the six of Harrisonburg High School Key Club officers are girls. Senior Rupal Patel, the new Key Club president, has been a member of Key Club since 9th grade.
“I joined Key Club, because my older sister was a member,” Patel said.
Senior Thi Do is Patel’s second in command at the position of vice president. Junior Tina Nguyen and senior Jenny Nguyen, sisters, are also officers in this community club. Tina is treasurer and Jenny is secretary. Senior Khezran Kirmani is reporter and senior Meredith Rose is the “club motivator.”
“I promote the club and try and get new members to join,” Rose said. She is happy about being the club motivator. “I was pretty happy when I was elected; I really wanted to be an officer.”
Patel is very excited for the plans for the upcoming Key Club year.
“This year one of our main activities is going to be helping out with the new teen rec center that is downtown,” Patel said. Another goal of Key Club’s this year is to recruit new members.
“I invite any one who is serious about helping their community to come join Key Club,” fashion marketing teacher and club sponsor of fifteen years Maurizio Antonnicola said.
Another project that is planned for this year is Soles 4 Souls. This organization collects gently used or new shoes to redistribute to underprivileged children all around the world.
Members of the club enjoy Key Club for a variety of reasons.
“I liked Key Club last year because I got to help the community and it looks really good on your college tran scri pts,” sophomore Sam Swayne said. Other members agree that Key Club is a great way to show our community you live in that you care.
“My sister was in Key Club,” sophomore Bano Kirmani said. “She said we help out a lot. So I joined.” In fact, caring is a part of Key Club’s worldwide slogan, “Caring - our way of life”. This slogan replaced, Key Club’s old motto, “We Build” in 1978.
This club is not a chore either. Most people really look forward to some of the clubs annual activities.
“I really like going to the Patchwork Pantry,” Patel, said. Patchwork Pantry is an organization that helps needy families, by giving them food and other supplies like diapers. This organization is open every Wednesday night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 70 South High Street.
Rose likes helping out people too. “I like it when we help out at the elementary school carnivals,” Rose said.
Key Club is the biggest club in our school to date.
