Key Club International will surpass 250,000 members when Edison Collegiate High School Charlotte Campus receives its charter during a ceremony at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19.
Key Club International President Abigail McKamey and Director Mike Downs will present ECHS its Key Club charter and install members to commemorate the historic milestone. The ceremony will be held in the Edison State College Charlotte Campus auditorium.
Edison Collegiate High School (ECHS) is Southwest Florida’s first collegiate high school and Charlotte County’s only charter school. Located on the Charlotte campus of Edison State College, students of ECHS experience a collegiate environment and graduate with both a diploma and an associate’s degree.
“Our students have been very passionate in regards to community involvement, and they understand what a tremendous organization Key Club is,” ECHS Principal Diane Juneau said. “To have our own charter means a lot to our students and faculty alike. The fact President McKamey will be on campus for the occasion is an incredible honor and something everyone involved will cherish for a long time.”
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high schools students in the world. An affiliate of Kiwanis International, Key Club is a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others as members build themselves as they build their schools and communities.
“We are excited to have such wonderful examples of youth who care about the world around them and have taken the initiative to be servant leaders,” said Kiwanis International President Paul Palazzolo. “We are happy these young men and women have a passion to share their time, talent and treasure with others.”
The ECHS Key Club will open with 18 members and an environmental focus under the guidance of teacher Michael E. Mitchell. Marissa Butcosk will serve as president; Taylor Richards as vice president; Carissa Stepp as secretary; Gabriella Austin as treasurer; and Holly Osborne as editor.
The ECHS Key Club is sponsored the Port Charlotte Sunrise Kiwanis and President Tom Natoli, who also will be on hand for Wednesday’s ceremony. Sunrise member Connie Thrasher serves as the ECHS advisor.
“The students of Edison Collegiate High School have been tremendous from the start; their energy and commitment are inspiring to everyone at Edison State College,” Charlotte Campus President Dr. Patricia Land said. “I think the addition of Key Club is a perfect fit and will allow the ECHS students to continue developing as leaders and role models for the future.”
