Sierra Vista High School Key Club (SVKC), is a dynamic organization that serves as a catalyst for positive change, while unlocking opportunities for service and leadership, inspiring both its members and the wider community. Key Club International remains the largest and oldest service program for high school students. Staying true to their motto “Caring is a way of life,” Key Club empowers and shapes students into leaders through channeling time management, character-building, service learning, and giving back to the community. Committed to serving others and fostering leadership skills, the club grew exponentially in recent years, attracting students with a shared passion for making a meaningful impact on the world around them.
Led by a dedicated team of student officers and supported by enthusiastic faculty advisors, SVKC holds the key to opening the door of opportunity. Through a combination of fundraisers, volunteer work, and more, these young leaders are leaving an indelible mark on the community. Mrs. Amanda Phillips, Sierra Vista Key Club advisor and math teacher, passionately advised the organization for the past seven years. Mrs. Phillips shares, “The projects that Key Club participates in have a lasting impact in addressing community needs, improving the quality of life, and/or fostering goodwill… Key Club’s lasting impact extends into the lives of its members through the development of leadership skills, a sense of community, and a culture of service. As the motto of Key Club International says, ‘Caring is a way of life.’”
President Vanessa Olaco-Mora (11) leads by example, devoting herself to organizing the club and demonstrating goodwill. Olaco-Mora explains “Sierra Vista Key Club is much bigger than one might think. We’re on a club level where there are division levels, region levels, district levels, and finally, the international level. Key Club serves over 45 countries around the world, each contributing to their respective areas. We have preferred charities we donate to. One of our biggest charities that Key Club International recognizes is the Pediatric Trauma Program (PTP). The funds we donate go to hospitals that care for accidental injuries that happen every day to children… Key Club International has 4 core values that I have attributed. Those values are leadership, character building, caring, and inclusiveness. I am more confident and open-minded as an individual because of my involvement with Key Club. Although I proudly serve as president of Sierra Vista Key Club, I know I could not do it without my executive board’s support and the generosity of my general members. A huge thank you to our advisors as well!”
Passionate about her craft, Executive Vice President Kayla Yeung (11) dedicates herself to giving back to the community. Yeung shares, “I love Key Club with all my heart. I joined SVKC during my Freshman year of High School. In all honesty, I had no intentions of joining any clubs, and my brother convinced me to join, but I’m so glad I did. Key Club has such a beautiful and well-connected community. I am so insanely passionate about Key Club and its members because the community formed around the club made me feel so at home. I strive to give others the experience I had. For me, the best part about Key Club is the people you meet. Since we’re very community service based, our members are extremely passionate people and I enjoy every single moment I get to share with them… Key Club aims to make a difference in the community by performing acts of service to give back to communities and providing students opportunities to gain and develop leadership skills”
In addition, secretary Jean Howard Sicat (12) diligently and compassionately donates his time and work to the club. Sicat adds “The impact that I see Key Club making on students is that it is allowing students to gain their own voice and confidence, this is especially true to myself, without Key Club I would never have been able to gain this extroverted side to myself. Another change I have seen Key Club make on students is that it has been able to make them blossom into roles that they would have otherwise never taken, as well as being able to take more leadership-oriented positions. Since joining Key Club I have been able to become more skillful with food service and handling as well as becoming more confident and significantly more outgoing than I was before joining. Key Club has also helped develop leadership skills, especially after becoming a board member and now sharing this experience with other members.”
In a world that can feel overwhelming or neglected, Key Club stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Keyclub’s unwavering dedication to service, philanthropy, and leadership transforms lives and inspires others to follow suit. Anybody can join Key Club, the club meets every Thursday after school in room 200. If someone would like to become a member and volunteer they need to pay the club fee to be an official member at the school banker. With the student members’ unwavering commitment, compassion, and determination, these young leaders shape a brighter future tomorrow for the world.
