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After 25 years of disbandment, the Carthage High School Key Club is back and stronger than ever.
CHS advisor Brandi Shoemaker said when the community-service-oriented club first met in September there were two students. By the second meeting 28 students attended, and by October the club flourished to 45 members.
“I'm very pleased and shocked at the same time,” Shoemaker said. “I'm really impressed because our student council does a lot of community service and we've had some of them join us too … We have some really good kids.”
A 1986 CHS Yearbook stated: “A popular club in the past, Key Club, after having three no show meetings was abolished due a lack of interest.” The Key Club is one of the several branches of the Kiwanis Club, and this school year, the cards fell the right way to revitalize the high school organization. Kiwanis Club President Lee Carlson said the adult members are expressing enthusiasm for the young group, and look forward to their achievements. Carlson said the most exciting aspect of the Key Club will be the students' summer involvement with Kiddieland in the Municipal Park.
“It's becoming a challenge for some of our members to run Kiddieland, so that's going to be a big help,” Carlson said. “We're adding a carousel that should be open in May, so we're hoping, with the help of the Key Club, Kiddieland will get bigger and run more often.”
Shoemaker agreed the students were ready to get their hands dirty.
“I think the kids are excited to get out there and help,” she said. “I like that community service seems to be important to them – and not just something that will look good on a college resumé.”
Dale Looney, Kiwanis member and grandfather of a Key Club member, said he was glad to see the high school welcome the new group.
“They are a very fine group of kids,” Looney said. “They're doing a great job.”
To follow the activities of the CHS Key Club, the students are formulating a website (which will link from the CHS website), Facebook and newsletter.
After 25 years of disbandment, the Carthage High School Key Club is back and stronger than ever.
CHS advisor Brandi Shoemaker said when the community-service-oriented club first met in September there were two students. By the second meeting 28 students attended, and by October the club flourished to 45 members.
“I'm very pleased and shocked at the same time,” Shoemaker said. “I'm really impressed because our student council does a lot of community service and we've had some of them join us too … We have some really good kids.”
A 1986 CHS Yearbook stated: “A popular club in the past, Key Club, after having three no show meetings was abolished due a lack of interest.” The Key Club is one of the several branches of the Kiwanis Club, and this school year, the cards fell the right way to revitalize the high school organization. Kiwanis Club President Lee Carlson said the adult members are expressing enthusiasm for the young group, and look forward to their achievements. Carlson said the most exciting aspect of the Key Club will be the students' summer involvement with Kiddieland in the Municipal Park.
“It's becoming a challenge for some of our members to run Kiddieland, so that's going to be a big help,” Carlson said. “We're adding a carousel that should be open in May, so we're hoping, with the help of the Key Club, Kiddieland will get bigger and run more often.”
Shoemaker agreed the students were ready to get their hands dirty.
“I think the kids are excited to get out there and help,” she said. “I like that community service seems to be important to them – and not just something that will look good on a college resumé.”
Dale Looney, Kiwanis member and grandfather of a Key Club member, said he was glad to see the high school welcome the new group.
“They are a very fine group of kids,” Looney said. “They're doing a great job.”
To follow the activities of the CHS Key Club, the students are formulating a website (which will link from the CHS website), Facebook and newsletter.
