A question for the ages: are leaders born or made? Hall of Fame football coach Vince Lombardi offers this perspective: “Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made by hard effort, which is the price all of us must pay to achieve any goal which is worthwhile.” As evidenced by Woodlands High School Key Club members, leaders are also made through acts of service and support for each other.
Since 1925, the mission of Key Club International has been to build character through leadership and service. At Woodlands, students take this calling seriously and have made Key Club one of the largest high school clubs. With approximately 30 very active members, the students support district, local, national, and international programs in the name of service. Whether it’s for back-to-school nights, Greenburgh Parks and Recreation events, or fundraising efforts to support students, locally or citizens, globally, members are always at the ready.
On a recent fall Saturday, WHS Key Club members started their day early with a community service project for the Hartsdale Kiwanis Club. “We worked with the Kiwanis Club to support our local businesses by painting storefronts for Halloween,” said Joshua Lee, Key Club President. “It was a fun project for our artistic members, and it positively served the community as well.” Steven Rounds, WHS Key Club Advisor, appreciated the synergy between the two clubs. “It was a great opportunity for Key Club members to work with the Kiwanis Club. Kiwanis is essentially the adult version of Key Club, which further reinforces the importance of service throughout all stages of life.”
On that same Saturday afternoon, WHS Key Club hosted the first-ever Fall Rally for clubs in New York State District 12 - Greenburgh, Rye Neck, Yonkers, New Rochelle, Ramapo, North Rockland, and Suffern high schools. The rally was organized to close the physical distance between the school clubs, inhibiting collaboration and strengthening relationships. Ramapo student and NYS Key Club District 12 Lieutenant Governor Alexis Palencia worked with Joshua Lee and Mr. Rounds, to make it happen. “In his first year as Lieutenant Governor, Alexis made it a goal to increase connection between schools,” said Mr. Rounds. “The idea behind the Fall Rally was to develop network opportunities and build a community of student leaders. We immediately offered our support.”
The event drew just over 50 students from all of the schools. Logistical details included arranging for bus transportation, securing student speakers, team-building exercises, and providing materials for a national service project activity in support of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.
Key Clubbers had the opportunity to mingle with members from other schools before the program presentation. In his opening statement, Alexis shared about himself and how he views his role. “A lot of my life is about helping out my community in whatever way I can,” said Alexis. “As Lieutenant Governor, my job is to serve as a liaison between clubs, make connections, and offer support. Being in this position has opened me up to a world of opportunities I may not have otherwise had. I want to be an advocate for what is possible to achieve.”
Special student guest speakers included Anastasia Ababiy, Key Club NYS District Governor (Brooklyn), who emphasized the importance of personal connection.“You have the ability to have a positive impact on your communities. If you see someone in need, ask them how we can help,” she said. “We are about unity, family, and holding those values of community building and community service. Bringing us together makes us stronger.” Ethan Schmidt, Key Club International Trustee (Alabama), spoke to students over Zoom about leadership opportunities within the international organization, his love of service and volunteerism, and encouraged others to think about the big picture and be challenged. Keynote speaker Buzmael Joanus, a former Ramapo Key Club member - now a freshman at Cornell University - talked about the college experience and what he did in high school to prepare for an Ivy League education.
After the event, the feeling of purpose and accomplishment permeated the room. “This is a great step in achieving something even greater in years to come,” said Alexis. “It's about looking into the future and seeing what it can become.” Adding to the positive atmosphere, Mr. Rounds put it in the simplest of terms, “These students are the best of the best.”