As students at OHS begin to settle down after the first few weeks of the new school year, many decide how they want to establish their place and get involved throughout the year. With a cycle of new students as classes of seniors graduate, kids on campus are bringing different ideas for new clubs.
Last school year, Key Club was introduced at OHS. Key Club is an international organization established at high schools around the world. The idea of the club is to promote community service and volunteering to students around schools.
“[Key Club] is run by students and we create a service project each year that we target in the community,” said Shloka Nair, junior and Key Club President.
Volunteering comes as an enjoyable activity for various students at OHS. Many enjoy volunteering with friends and helping out the community to the best of their ability.
“I knew Shloka was starting [Key Club]. She told me about it and I got really interested in it because I’ve never really been a part of a volunteer club before and it’s something I’ve been wanting to do. I enjoy volunteering for the community because it makes me feel more connected,” said Paige Trafton, junior.
Other students in programs such as the National Honors Society are required to obtain a certain amount of community service hours. However, many new members of the club may not know where to start when it comes to community service and volunteering.
“I noticed a lot of people needed volunteer hours but they didn’t really know how to get them and a lot of it was run by teachers or [students’] parents telling them what to do. I wanted to make more of an impact and teach people how to be leaders as students,” Nair said.
With this school year being the second year of Key Club, the President and Vice President hope to solidify the structure of the club to be able to promote it and let students know their mission as a club.
“We’re hoping to get a website up with more information about the club and we’d like to get on the announcements to let people know when our meetings are,” said Julia Steere, junior and Key Club Vice President.
While Key Club continues to figure out what is needed to increase their universality among students, the founders are hoping to have a more structured year when it comes to officers and systems within the club, such as logging time.
“This year we need to follow up a lot more with the officers of the club and communicate more about our goals this year as well as having a new mindset,” Steere said.
Along with the structure and communication of the club, group project plans are in the works between the President and ASU’s sustainability program.
“Last year was a little rough because it was the beginning stages so we had to do a lot of paperwork before we could actually do anything. This year, since we’ve already started, we’re working with ASU’s sustainability department, and we’re going to come up with a service project for all our club members,” Nair said.
Being able to do group projects this year puts members in new situations where they get to learn more and develop valuable skills which will be of service to their future.
“Key Club benefits my future by giving me experience with working with others in a professional setting with a goal of making a difference,” said Abigail Trafton, junior.
As Key Club continues to make an effort to promote students engaging in community service through structuring the club as a team, members continue to inspire themselves and those around them while working towards helping others.
“Key Club puts me in situations where I can be grateful that I have a privileged life and that I am able to do the things that I am able to do. Helping people in general is a privilege to have,” said Paras Dadiala, junior.
