The Los Alamos representatives at the Key Club convention, front row from left, Ethan Singell, Akshay Swaminarayan, Rebecca Li, Uxue Sansinena, Praveen Swaminarayan and Advisor Morrie Pongratz. Back row from left, Kiwanis District Administrator for Key Club, Karin Church, Deborah Brug, Jonathon Chen, Jinheon Kim, Ewan Arnold and Betsy Hemphill. Key Club Faculty Advisor Shelley Clark not pictured. Courtesy photo
LAHS Key Club News:
Early this April, accompanied by four chaperones, nine members of the Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Key Club traveled to Tempe, Ariz. to attend the Southwest District Key Club convention (DCON).
Key Club is a student-led, high school organization sponsored by Kiwanis International that supports the transformation of its members into the world’s next class of leaders. There are thousands of Key Club clubs in more than 45 countries.
The Southwest District of Key Club International has high school students from New Mexico, Arizona and El Paso. There are 4,300 Key Club members in 111 active clubs in the Southwest District. The convention is organized and planned by the district’s leadership board composed of the district officers and Lieutenant Governors, one from each of the 16 divisions in the Southwest District including Praveen Swaminarayan from Los Alamos. The students are assisted by the Kiwanis District Administrator for Key Club, Karin Church, a member of the Los Alamos Kiwanis Club. In turn, Karin is assisted by Zone Administrators including Betsy Hemphill, also a member of the Los Alamos Kiwanis Club.
The convention’s purpose is to recognize and award achievements, train leaders, learn about fundraising and managing stress, compete in contests, elect officers and enjoy the companionship of other service-minder young people.
The adventure began with a chilly, 6 a.m. Friday morning school Suburban ride to Albuquerque and ended with another Suburban ride from Alburquerque to Los Alamos ending at 10 p.m. on Sunday night, The students and advisors rode buses from Albuquerque to Tempe along with about 80 Key Clubbers from Albuquerque, Gallup and Farmington. The same bus rides took them back to Albuquerque after the final convention session on Sunday.
The convention’s first session on Friday evening began with an excellent presentation on leadership by Dr. Carol Clyde, a professor at Cottey College, and the lead facilitator for Kiwanis International’s Key Leader high School leadership program. After dinner, the students attended caucuses where they met candidates for Key Club leadership positions and listened to their campaign speeches.
Saturday morning found the Key Clubbers competing in talent contests and attending workshops on how to start new service projects, fundraising, managing stress and college fairs. On Saturday afternoon the LAHS delegates attended the House of Delegates where they voted on the candidates for leadership positions in the Southwest District of Key Club and endorsement of candidates seeking international office.
Ethan Singell, center, receiving the trophy for Achievement Award with Key Club International Trustees David Robaina, left, and Ian Opel. Courtesy photo
During Saturday evening’s dinner the students learned about awards and recognitions. The LAHS Key Clubbers did quite well in this regard. They received the Early Bird Award for getting dues paid early. Key Club president, Rebecca Li, picked up a trophy for their “Major Emphasis” project the “How to Save a Life” event that they produced at SALA in cooperation with JJAB and the county’s Social Services Division. She also received a medallion for her success in the “Impromptu Oratory” contest. Key Club Secretary, Ethan Singell, received a trophy for the district’s “Achievement Award” which is based on a number of factors including descriptions of service projects.
During the Sunday morning final session, the newly elected officers and Lieutenant Governors were presented. Jonathon Chen, from Los Alamos, will be the new Lieutenant Governor for the Sangre de Christo division which includes Key Clubs in Santa Fe and Las Vegas. Praveen Swaminarayan received the Robert F Lucas, outstanding Lieutenant governor award for his leadership of this division.
Rebecca Li receiving the ‘Impromptu Oratory’ medal from Key Club International Trustees David Robaina, left, and Ian Opel. Courtesy photo
