My Key Leader Experience

by Emily Bergman, Indian River High School Key Club

As a four-year member and charter member of the Indian River High School Key club I have found leadership and service could not complement each other as well as they do in Key Club. Community Service has always been something I was proud to complete and motivated to do. Through Key Club, I have completed many pancake breakfasts, beach clean ups, beach grass planting and leaf raking events and K kids meetings. These have instilled a since of community within me. Through these activities, I have helped others, which is something very important to Key Club. I was also given the opportunity to participate in Key Leader three times throughout high school. My first experience there was as a freshman. I was shy and quiet when I enter the camp Friday afternoon, but by Sunday morning, I was a changed person. I was vocal, confident and a leader. The weekend consisted of games, conversations and a confidence course. I was able to talk to people I would have never imagined I would talk to. I made lasting friends through that one weekend. As a sophomore and senior I student facilitated at Key Leader events. I was able to show my leadership qualities while helping others build theirs. I enjoyed myself so much and came back to become President of the IRHS Key Club. I learned how to lead through service and how to deal with many different personalities. Now as I graduate from Indian River and therefore the Key Club I will begin to take my knowledge of service leadership and promote it throughout the "real world" and in Circle K (the College version of Key Club) at Lynchburg College. Pictured, Cordelia and Emily chat at breakfast before sessions begin.