Helping others and making new friends

Lori Hammelman
Posted 11/24/17

Making new friends, participating in community projects, and helping others are a few of the favorite things the seniors at Rochelle Township High School shared about being a Key Club member.

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Helping others and making new friends

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Making new friends, participating in community projects, and helping others are a few of the favorite things the seniors at Rochelle Township High School shared about being a Key Club member.
Recently at their annual bake night as the Key Club members prepared treats for the following day’s event, several of the seniors also shared what they will miss most about being a Key Clubber. Over the past 10 years, the club has gathered at Vicki Snyder-Chura’s home where they not only prepare for the bake sale at Chili Day, but they also share plenty of laughs.
“It’s nights like this, the laid back fun…I will miss everyone,” said senior Carlie Elder. “And doing things for the community. I love the fact we get to raise all this money and help others.”
Key Club conducts several fundraisers throughout the year, including the bake sale at the Kiwanis Golden K Chili Day, netting nearly $500. They also sell baked goods at Pancake Day as well as Fannie May, one of their largest fundraisers.
Some of the money the club generates is sent to the Eliminate Project, a Kiwanis and UNICEF initiative to help eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus around the world.

Group shot
The club also uses funds for their annual district convention, known as DCON or DC, where they will join thousands of high school students from other Key Clubs. During the three-day event, students learn about other Key Clubs and some of the service projects they can do. They also participate in smaller meetings and have time for fun activities.
DCON is one thing senior Victoria Pfister said she will miss most about being in Key Club. Pfister started in the Rochelle Middle School’s Builder’s Club, which is another Kiwanis-sponsored organization.
“Key Club and the [Kiwanis] Golden K are my second family…I feel very at home here, and love the work we do,” Pfister said. “Even the Key Clubs we meet at DC, they are our family too. It’s hard for us seniors to say goodbye to this, but to see what we have done, it’s a big difference.”
Pfister


Making a difference
Senior Ashley Ackerman encourages students to join Key Club, even if the school year is nearly halfway through. Ackerman shared the time she talked to her high school counselor, wanting to be a part of something, and was recommended to join Key Club.
Ackerman is now the Key Club president.
“I encourage everyone to join, it’s fun and a family environment. Come when you can,” Ackerman said. “I like being president. I feel like they are all my kiddos.”
Ackerman is responsible for the agenda and keeping the students on track at the weekly meetings, which are held in Danae White’s classroom. White has been advisor for Key Club since 2001.
“If anyone was debating about ‘Where do I fit in at RTHS?’ this is the perfect club to join because the world is always looking for people who believe in helping others,” White said. “Our Key Club members are always on a mission to do good work somewhere in the community, the nation, and the world.”
White said a great aspect to the club is the understanding that students are busy, and often have other extracurricular activities or belong in sports along with schoolwork.
“We ask members to work on or lead projects that they feel they can commit to without being too overextended. They can volunteer as much or as little as it fits their schedules each month.”
White is an active advisor, helping the students in community projects, such as yard work for the elderly and disabled community members.
“Working with Mrs. White is amazing. She’s the best advisor we could have…She keeps the energy up, and makes things exciting,” the seniors said in unison.
Jessica Lechner said being a member in Key Club has given her opportunities to help people in the community. One of her favorite memories was helping to sell bracelets that eventually funded a girl’s education in another country. Lechner said joining Key Club helped her transition from a small elementary school into RTHS, meeting friends and participating in fun activities. She also encourages high school students to join.
“We were able to sponsor more than one, makes me happy that we were able to do that for those kids,” Lechner said. “It’s never too late to join Key Club…once you join you will discover all these amazing opportunities to help and serve.”