Campbell High School’s Key Club receives seal of approval

Published: Sunday, October 18, 2009

Campbell High School’s infamous Key Club finally got its long overdue legitimacy on Oct. 6.

Not Michael Corleone, Mafia-type legitimacy, but rather that it’s now the 183rd official Key Club in the region.

The prior active years of the club had essentially been what some would say “under the table.” This doesn’t mean that the funds from charity events were actually funding seal poaching or being gambled on dogfights, just that the club hadn’t received support or fundraiser opportunities from the Kiwanis.

For those of you who aren’t as familiar with your friendly neighborhood Key Club, the group is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It’s a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others. Members of the Kiwanis International family, Key Club members build themselves as they build their schools and communities.

So, what are the Kiwanis? According to the new CHS Key Club president, senior Amanda Curran, Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time.

So, this year, Curran made it her first priority to make the Key Club an official part of this esteemed organization rather than just a volunteer group. A few phone calls and a whole of e-mails later, the Key Club was due to be officially inducted into the organization on Oct. 6.

The induction was marked with a charter ceremony in the CHS library. The invitee list was exclusive, ranging from high-ranking Kiwanis members to Litchfield school Superintendent Dr. Elaine Cutler. The majority of the club members were in attendance, accompanied by a few excited parents and a few bored siblings.

After the Pledge of Allegiance and brief introductions, the ceremony began. A few words were spoken by Kiwanis members, Key Club members and finally, a speech from Key Club Lt. Gov. Paolo Maurici, a junior at Manchester Central High School.

Ceremonial Key Club pins were handed out to each member of the club, and four special pieces of flair were given to the current officers. Finally, a couple of heartwarming speeches were delivered by Curran and adviser Kathleen Gorman.

Curran expressed her excitement after the ceremony:

“We are so happy and honored to be a part of the service projects set for forth by Key Club International and Kiwanis. Without the unconditional support of our advisers and surrounding clubs, we would not be as successful as we are today.”

Maurici commented on his experience at CHS:

“I was really honored to be invited by President Amanda Curran to Campbell High School’s charter. I am really pleased to have Campbell charter under Division 9-10 of the New England District of Key Club International and to have Campbell officially be the 12th club brought into my division.

“It was great to meet the officers in person, and I feel that they are all very dedicated and hardworking individuals that will help to grow Campbell High School Key Club into a very successful and renowned Key Club within the New England District.”

Andrew Boutselis is a junior at Campbell High School in Litchfield.