At its district convention this month, the San Benito High
School Key Club was one of nine clubs awarded
”
distinguished club
”
status.
At its district convention this month, the San Benito High School Key Club was one of nine clubs awarded “distinguished club” status.
“It’s quite an honor out of 250 clubs to be among the top nine in the tri-state area,” said Mitch Huerta, Key Club advisor and social sciences teacher at SBHS.
Four club members and Jim Hart, Hollister Kiwanis Club president and Key Club liaison, attended the California-Nevada-Hawaii Key Club 57th Annual District Convention March 14-16 in Ontario. There are more than 250 clubs in the three-state district. Huerta said the SBHS Key Club is the second-most active in the tri-county area.
“The award reflects the commitment, dedication and perspiration of the local Kiwanis, our high school students and their parents,” Huerta said.
Krista Borges, an SBHS junior and Key Club vice president, said being honored with the award was “exciting.”
Key Club is the student organization of the Kiwanis Club; both are community service organizations. So far this year, Key Club members have participated in the Kinship Center’s wine tasting fundraiser, Breakfast with Santa, Kiwanis Snow Day, Relay for Life, Small Steps and the San Benito River Cleanup, Huerta said.
“Our kids are unique in that they love participating and don’t get recognized that much. They don’t need to be in the spotlight,” he said. “… When these kids graduate high school, they’ll be the leaders in community fundraising and the leaders in community issues.”
Some of the club’s events are organized by the Kiwanis Club with Key Club members lending time and support.
Hart, who’s been the liaison between the clubs for about 23 years, said Key Club members are important to the success of the Kiwanis Club.
“(The partnership) is great. It definitely makes our club function more effectively. Without them, we’d have a hard time doing it all,” he said.
There are currently 15 to 40 Key Club members, Huerta said. Most are female and on the SBHS honor roll.
Junior Debra Martin, the club’s president, said she joined when she was a freshman to have fun and get involved.
“I like getting so involved. I’ve met so many people from it,” Martin said. “People are so happy you’re helping them – it just makes you happy.”
Junior Megan Arnerich said she also wanted to get involved in the community.
“I was interested in having a good time. There’s nothing to do in this town,” Arnerich said.
Organizations that need help or volunteers can contact Huerta at 637-5837, ext. 394.
“The purpose of the club is to help the local community. We’re here to help them,” Huerta said.
