When three Bridgeport High School students traveled to California last week, it wasn’t all about a certain mouse.  Oh, sure, they visited Disneyland, along with Downtown Disney and more, but the focus was all about service.  Eva MacFarland, Jenna Maxey and Kali Pitzenbarger attended the 2014 International Key Club Convention, held in Anaheim, California July 2-5. 

 

“My favorite part was meeting people from all over the world,” said Eva MacFarland.  “It was great to establish relationships with so many people I never would have known otherwise.” She also enjoyed getting to know the West Virginia District of Trustees, with whom she will be networking this year. 

 

The convention opened with keynote speaker Chris Bashinelli, the star of PBS’s “Bridge the Gap” series.  His job is to see what it’s like to spend the day in someone else’s shoes and his perspective opened up many opportunities for Key Clubs throughout the world.  Workshops on leadership, networking, fundraising and service projects filled the schedule, along with many fun activities like a dance and an Hawaiian Luau.  The event had over 1600 key clubbers from all fifty states, Canada and the Caribbean.

 

The Key Club has joined forces with Kiwanis International and UNICEF for an “Eliminate Project”.  The aim is to raise over $110,000,000 to immunize mothers and infants in remote countries so that tetanus can be eliminated worldwide.  “Key Club is all about service and the convention raised awareness of charities we can partner with to make a difference,” said MacFarland.

 

The trio will be bringing their ideas back to BHS this fall to inspire change at both the community and international levels.  Working with Key Club Advisors Charlene Keener, Kathy Cox, and Charlea Ramsey, the club will develop a plan of action to impact local issues.  “The convention inspired me to get to know my fellow classmates better because I could be missing out on knowing some fantastic people,” said Mac Farland.