The club that started almost a century ago as a small student group has grown into an international movement, and it’s creating change here at El Paso Gridley High School. If you didn’t know, Key Club is an international community service organization dedicated to giving back to our school, community, and the world. Key Club was first established in Sacramento, California by Albert Olney and Frank Vincent in 1925.
The club’s original mission was to promote school spirit and vocational guidance, but it has now widened to community service and leadership. The name “Key Club” came from the members of the initial group being “key students in the school.” Over the years, Key Club has grown into a major service organization located in more than 5,000 schools across the United States and 45 other countries. Its members continue to focus on leadership, service, and community involvement.
On Saturday, October 25th, Key Club participated in the annual Trunk or Treat event at South Pointe Park. During the event, students decorated Finn Zeller’s car and handed out candy to children from 4 to 6 p.m. Looking ahead to November, Key Club plans to help with a blood drive and assist Kiwanis with setting up Christmas decorations at Jefferson Park. They are also going to be collecting donations for the Brotherhood Tree. These funds/gifts will help provide Christmas for families in need.
“[Key Club] really is a good way to give back to the community and partner with Kiwanis. It’s also a good way to build leadership skills and gain community service hours for graduation,” explained Mrs. Weber. Mrs. Weber and Mrs. Schuler are the club’s faculty sponsors. Junior Lexi Neely, a three-year member, stated, “I like Key Club because we get to work with different people in the community.” Neely’s favorite experience was helping Community Well put away winter clothes and put out spring clothes for low-income families. Freshman participant Brooklyn Miller enjoys hanging out with friends while helping the community. Regarding the Trunk or Treat event, she mentioned, “It was fun seeing all the costumes and talking to the trick-or-treaters.” Key Club continues to make lasting impacts on the community and has many opportunities for leadership and service. The question is, will you join and help make a difference?
