Student leaders from the Vernon Key Club, Chipley Key Club, and Roulhac Builders Club joined members of the Chipley Kiwanis Club for lunch Tuesday to report on their club activities during the current school year, and plans for next year.  Kiwanis sponsors Key Clubs at high schools, Builders Clubs for middle school students, and K Kids for the elementary level throughout the world.  Washington County is fortunate to have these youth clubs for all school levels sponsored by the local Kiwanis Club for many years.  A total of 16 students and four faculty sponsors attended the luncheon. 

In recognition of National Education Week, the Kiwanis Club of Chipley annually presents special apples to teachers as a way of expressing “thanks for a job well done.”  A symbolic presentation was made during the meeting by Lamerle Feitsma, chair of the Community Services Committee, to Brenda Basnaw, faculty sponsor for the Vernon Key Club and Vernon High School Teacher of the Year. 

Tommy Smith, Kiwanian and director of Washington-Holmes Technical Center, reminded members about the WHTC Foundation that provides scholarship funds to students for a variety of career fields and of the opportunities for individuals and businesses to make donations so these programs can be expanded. 

Following an introduction by faculty sponsor Kathleen Nelson, the student officers for the Roulhac Builders Club took turns reporting on the past year.  Club president Kyndal Whitson was followed by Paige Harrell, Jamie Ellis and Tyler Oliver.  Also attending was co-faculty sponsor Lizzie Nelson.  The middle school club has been involved in food collections, blood drives and support for school events.  They raised $500 for a donation to a family with medical costs, and they will focus on raising funds for the American Cancer Society next school year. 

Kaitlin Porter, president of the Chipley Key Club, presented a comprehensive summary of how the club conducted/supported 46 projects during the year and amassed a total of 1,659 service hours to date.  Due to the level of activities, the club elected a total of seven officers to provide leadership for various projects.  Students were involved in car washes, blood drives, a spring break T-shirt sale, a Valentines day promotion with stuffed animals, kids at Project HeadStart, and most school athletic and special events.  Their focus has been on recruiting members who are committed to community service projects and fundraising, rather than just having a large club.  Attending the luncheon were club members Chelsea Hill, Allison Ellis, Tiffany Stoe, Kristen Garney, Adriane Guettler, Caitlyn Prichard, Charity Newsom and faculty sponsor Lenora James. 

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Megan White, president of the Vernon Key Club, reported major events since the club was rechartered this past October after having been inactive.  The club participated in anti-drug programs, Toys for Tots, a blood drive, the Vernon Christmas parade, an Easter egg hunt with 500 hidden eggs, operated concession stands at school events and introduced hot chocolate sales to students during the cold months.  They also participated in Relay for Life and Preserving Our Past events in Vernon.  White and Tierra Belser attended a special long-weekend leadership training camp for Key Club leaders throughout Florida; this training will benefit the club next year.  Attending Tuesday's luncheon were club officers Heather Skipper, Belser and Josh Tracy, along with faculty sponsor Brenda Basnaw. 

Following the student presentations, Kiwanis Club President Darrin Wall introduced Josh Tracy from the Vernon Key Club.  Tracy is the only high school student from Washington County to be selected as a student ambassador for the People to People International program.  He will be traveling to Australia and New Zealand for two weeks this summer with 30 to 40 other students from across the U.S.