LIHU‘E — A first place showing at the state, district and national competition earned the Kaua‘i High School Key Club special recognition from the Kaua‘i County Council, Wednesday. A certificate authored by Councilman Derek Kawakami, who heard about the club’s
LIHU‘E — A first place showing at the state, district and national competition earned the Kaua‘i High School Key Club special recognition from the Kaua‘i County Council, Wednesday.
A certificate authored by Councilman Derek Kawakami, who heard about the club’s achievement when attending a local service organization meeting, recognizes the club’s achievements.
In the 2007-08 year, the club earned first place in the non-traditional scrapbook category at the state, district and national conventions.
At the annual state Key Club Convention, the Kaua‘i High School Key Club was named the Most Outstanding Large Club in the state. The club — under the leadership of advisors Charlene Navarro, Kristen Fuchigami, Andy Kakutani, Cathy Morishige and Layne Tokita — earned that outstanding honor for two consecutive years.
Dreana Valenciano, the club’s current president, said in addition to working on the scrapbook, the Key Club is involved in numerous community service projects, including visiting patients at the Regency at Puakea care facility and Wilcox Hospital.
“One of my most memorable moments as a Key Club member is playing bingo with the patients at Wilcox Hospital,” said Rae-Lyn Morikawa. “I became friends with many of them.”
Councilman Dickie Chang encouraged the young adults to continue to visit the kupuna at the care facilities as it provides them with a spark for life.
“When you come home from college, stop in and visit with them,” Chang said.
Additionally, some of the service projects the club is involved in include beach clean-ups, preparing for the Koloa Plantation Days parade, helping the Kaua‘i Food Bank during its spring and fall drives and participating in the American Cancer Society “Relay for Life.”
Valenciano said the club has raised more than $16,000 and contributed more than 3,600 hours towards community service.
Currently, there are 58 members on the Kaua‘i High School Key Club, headed by Valenciano.
Key Club is the oldest and largest service program for high school students, the recognition certificate states.
It is a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others. Key Club is part of the Kiwanis International Family, in which members build themselves up as they build their schools and communities.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
