Key Club is an international, student-led organization that provides its members with opportunities to provide service, build character and develop leadership. A growing organization with global reach, it has thousands of chapters in more than 38 countries. High school student members of Key Club perform acts of service in their communities, such as cleaning up parks, collecting clothing and organizing food drives. They also learn leadership skills by running meetings, planning projects and holding elected leadership positions at the club, district and international levels. Key Club aims to cooperate with school principals and teachers to provide high school students with invaluable experience in living and working together and to prepare them for useful citizenship. The Tompkins chapter of Key Club is sponsored by English teacher Ryan Culver. Senior Ranvir Israni is the senior representative in Key Club at Tompkins.
“We make keys for homes, cars, and mailboxes. Just kidding. Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students in the world. This program instills leadership into its members through service to others,” said Israni.
On April 12, members of Key Club will travel to Dallas to take part in the Texas-Oklahoma Convention (DCON). The three day convention is going to be full of activities, leadership development workshops, and other events that allow attendees to meet people from the largest Key Club district in the nation.
“Every year, DCON is held in Dallas for all Texas-Oklahoma District clubs. At DCON, members of Key Club attend workshops, attend officer training, network with other attendees, and elect the next District Executive Officers. This year DCON, will be held from April 12 to April 15 and the theme for this year’s convention is ‘Saving the World Through Service’.
Israni will be attending DCON for his second and final time. He emphasizes that attending the trip was both enjoyable and advantageous.
“Last year, I attended DCON as a junior and didn’t expect much except to skip school. But to say the least, from the bus drive to the competitive events to the Saturday night social, I had a blast. I would really recommend this trip for those who want to run for officer positions in our Key Club at Tompkins High School,” said Israni. “I networked with a couple peers from the Texas-Oklahoma District who held the officer position that I currently hold, from them I gained leadership skills which I use in my daily life and public speaking skills which I put to the test when I’m given the nod to lead a Key Club meeting.”
Israni believes that the experience was vital in his election into an officer position. He thinks that joining Key Club and attending DCON has a variety of benefits.
“I participated and held an officer position in Key Club as a result of the leadership, community service, and experiences I gained at DCON. I served more in a mentor role to those who aren’t familiar with the club and to those who want to pursue an officer position for the upcoming year. I hope to end my term on a positive note and continue the legacy of a great Key Club here at Tompkins,” said Israni.
