The Kiwanis Club of Naperville recently presented its annual scholarship awards at DuPage River Park. Scholarship candidates consist of graduating seniors, members of of Kiwanis Key Clubs, attending an accredited college or university. Kiwanis Key Club is a student-led organization that provides members with opportunities to provide service and build character while developing leadership skills.
Local Kiwanis Key Clubs are at both Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools. Nearly 500 students this year received leadership and management skills through running meetings, planning projects, and holding elected leadership positions.
Scholarship Chairman Bob Horton recognized Kiwanis advisors Jim Rose, Walt Kelly, and Kiwanis John Kroening who attended many early morning meetings throughout the year. Also recognized were WVHS faculty advisors Andrew Kruger and Jacqueline Hill and MVHS advisors Patti Hoffert and Tye Fox. Recent Key Club efforts included making Superhero capes for pediatric areas of hospitals, visiting nursing homes, writing letters to servicemen, and organizing food drives.
Horton announced the 2022 scholarship winners include Metea Valley graduating seniors Alopi Shah and Priyanka Krishana as well as Waubonsie Valley graduates Madeline Wueste and Nithya Mullapudi. Each winner received a $2,000 award to further their education.
The Kiwanis Club of Naperville is part of a volunteer service organization called Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis motto is “Serving the Children of the World.” Known locally for fundraisers such as Peanut Days and a Pancake Festival, Kiwanis Clubs are located in more than 80 countries. All clubs combined, Kiwanis annually raise and donate more than $100 million and 19 million service hours.
Kiwanis International offers three clubs for Adults—Kiwanis, Aktion Club and Circle K International. In addition, clubs for youth include Builders Club for middle school students, K-Kids for elementary school students.
When asked for comment, fun-loving Past President Fred Jacobs quipped, “…And you thought we were just about Pancakes and Peanuts!”
For more information, contact Fred Reichelt at (630) 248-0850 or visit naperville-evening.kiwanisone.org.
