The Winchester Kiwanis Club is partnering with George Rogers Clark High School in hopes of starting a Key Club on the school’s campus.

Key Club is a branch of Kiwanis International focussing on fostering community service leaders during high school years.

According to Kiwanian Greg Yates, the formation of a Key Club at GRC has been a goal of Winchester Kiwanis for years. Club members have partnered with GRC guidance counsellor Elton Parish in an attempt to build a framework for the group and identify students interesting in joining.

“When we talk about college admissions, the colleges are looking for a more well-rounded student,” Parish said. “They’re not just looking for a student with a 4.0 who’s taken a lot of AP classes, but what else have you done for your school and your community?  They look for benefits that can be brought to a college campus, and that experience is going to be a plus for them becoming leaders on a college campus and beyond.”

Key Clubs are student led with advisors from both the school they operate out of and the local Kiwanis chapter. As the club gets on its feet in Winchester, Yates said Parish and Kiwanian Michelle Blackburn will act as advisors for the students. They will assist students in getting a charter for their club and with any needs the members run into during operation, but the students themselves will plan their meetings, put together the agendas and create their own community service projects.

Like adult Kiwanis clubs, Key clubs stress community service as their priority.

Parish said Key club members can plan projects to benefit the high school or any other part of the community. Where and how the club serves is entirely dependent upon the vision of its members.

Parish said the club, if started, will be a good resource to teach students about the importance of public service and its benefits to both the community at large and the student themselves.

Yates said Winchester Kiwanis will pay for the club’s chapter if at least 15 students express interest in joining. Students who join the club must be willing to do 50 hours of service per year, Yates said.

The advisors are hoping to get the club up and running by mid October, but Parish said any students will still be welcome to join after the club is initially set up.

Yates and Parish said to their knowledge this is the first attempt to have a Key club at GRC. However, the two are also interested in speaking with members of the community who may have previous Key club experience or who may be interested in working with the new Key club.

For more information about the club, contact GRC at 859-744-6111.