Excelsior Springs High School Launches Key Club, Empowering Students Through Service
Excelsior Springs, Mo. (March 14, 2024) – Excelsior Springs High School has officially chartered its first-ever Key Club, marking a new era of student-led service and leadership within the school and community. The charter ceremony, held Friday evening at the Performing Arts Center (PAC), brought together students, faculty, and members of the Kiwanis Club to celebrate the formation of the organization, which aims to empower students to make a lasting impact.
Key Club is an international, student-led organization that provides opportunities for service, character building, and leadership development. At Excelsior Springs High School, the club is already proving to be a force for good. Led by President Joshua Goodman and Vice President Addison Meyers, the newly formed group has wasted no time initiating projects, including crafting Valentine’s Day cards for residents at Valley Manor nursing home, assembling Jared Boxes—activity kits for children undergoing long-term hospital stays—and organizing a professional clothing drive for students.
During the ceremony, Goodman expressed enthusiasm for what the club represents. “Key Club is about serving our school and community in any way we can,” he said. “We hope to do this with any project that we can think of, like the Jared Boxes, the Valentine’s Day cards, the clothing drive, and whatever other ideas the brilliant, creative minds of our school and community can dream of.” Goodman also highlighted the importance of inclusivity, collaboration, and service, values that Key Club members are committed to upholding.
Meyers, who was instrumental in bringing Key Club to the school, was recognized for her efforts. “Ever since I was a little girl, my grandfather, Jim Major, took me on service projects,” she shared during her speech. “Since then, I knew I wanted to be in Key Club. Without Joshua’s leadership, we wouldn’t have accomplished as much as we have.”
The club’s leadership team also includes Secretary Melia McKown, Treasurer Sunny Hyvari, Webmaster and Editor Natalee Hardesty, and a dedicated group of members eager to make a difference. McKown shared her personal journey of involvement, emphasizing how the club has helped her develop leadership skills and form new friendships. “Some of my best memories so far have been with Key Club,” she said. “It’s helped me grow out of my shell and connect with people I never thought I’d be friends with.”
The ceremony featured remarks from Kiwanis Advisor Jim Major, who presented the official charter to the club, and Lt. Governor Gary Goebel of the Missouri-Arkansas Kiwanis Division 3, who emphasized the global impact of Key Club. “You are now part of the largest student-led organization in the world,” Goebel told the students. “There are over 200,000 Key Club members worldwide, and even leaders like Bill Clinton were once in Key Club. The future is bright for you.”
With its mission rooted in leadership, character building, caring, and inclusivity, the Excelsior Springs Key Club is ready to make a positive impact on the community. As their first major initiative, the club is organizing a Dress for Success Drive to collect professional attire for students. “We’d love for the community to contribute,” Goodman said. “We’re working on finalizing drop-off locations, but we’ll be sharing more details soon.”
As Excelsior Springs High School embarks on this new chapter, students are eager to embrace the opportunities that Key Club presents. Those interested in supporting Key Club’s efforts should contact Excelsior Springs High School. Key Club members are ready to serve, one project at a time, cheering as they go “I feel good, oh I feel so good! I feel fine, all of the time! A-booga, a-booga, a-booga booga booga!”
If you appreciate the value our local journalism brings to the community, please consider making a recurring contribution to the Excelsior Citizen!
