Key Club Scholars Honored
Each year the Kiwanis Club of Richmond awards scholarship assistance to high school seniors on their way to college in the fall. Each of our sponsored Key Clubs is eligible to nominate an outstanding senior Key Club member to receive either a Key Club Scholarship (providing $2,500 toward first year tuition), or a Zoppa Scholarship (a four-year $2,000/year scholarship named for long time Richmond Kiwanian Charlie Zoppa, who left a bequest to the Richmond Kiwanis Foundation to support this award). READ MORE ABOUT THE ZOPPA SCHOLARSHIP HERE.
This year’s Key Club Scholars are Ayanah Hanks of Thomas Jefferson High School, Grace Mukuye of Richmond Community High School, and Charles Buchanan of Benedictine College Preparatory; this year’s Zoppa Scholar is Megan Lane of Atlee High School. We honored these outstanding Key Club members June 5.
Ayanah Hanks has earned a 4.34 cumulative grade point average and has been on the Honor Roll throughout her school career. In addition to the Key Club, she has participated in many other activities, including TJ’s award winning Robotics Club, Computer Programing, Upward Bound and the Majorette Dance Team.
Ayanah joined the Key Club at the beginning of her senior year, and served as Vice President. She participated in our Ukrop’s 10k Water Station, as well as the Club’s fund raising for Angel Tree Gift Giving and litter pickup around the school. She says these activities “encouraged me to increase my participation in helping my community outside of the club, such as volunteering in the Big Brother Big Sister program.”
In his letter of recommendation, Key Club Advisor Matt Zipperer writes, “Ayana is responsible, intelligent, and trustworthy. She is one of the best students that I have ever taught and is very deserving of any honor or opportunity that she receives.” This fall Ayanah will attend Old Dominion University.
Grace Mukuye has earned a 4.15 cumulative grade point average and has been on the Honor Roll throughout her school career. Grace joined the Community High Key Club this school year and was an active participant. She especially enjoyed their food drive, in which more than 1000 cans of food were collected for FeedMore. (Community’s Key Club was re-established in the 2022-23 school year, made possible through the efforts of Bernita Williams, Senior School Counselor, and Hannah Shambley, English Teacher and Key Club Advisor, as well as the our Key Club Committee Chair Jim Ryan.)
In addition to the Key Club, Grace has participated in many other activities, including the Yearbook Club, Environmental Club, and Community Council. Grace also has held part-time jobs since 9th grade. In her letter of recommendation Ms. Williams writes, “Grace’s willingness to assist others and kindheartedness are two of my favorite attributes she embodies. Grace is a respectful, mature and motivated young lady who will work hard to succeed and will not quit until she has done so.” This fall Grace will attend Norfolk State University.
Charles Buchanan has earned a 4.28 cumulative grade point average. He joined the Key Club in the 9th grade and served as its President during this school year. He participated in his Club’s annual fundraiser for the VCU Children’s Hospital, Project W.A.R.M. (seasonal wood-splitting and delivery), and Adopt-A-Highway Quarterly Cleanup on Pagebrook Drive, near the School. And, of course, he and many other Club members turned out to staff our water stations for the Richmond Marathon and 10k races.
In addition to the Key Club, Charles has participated in many other activities, including being Chairman of the Honor Council, Captain of the Cross Country and Track and Field Team, Senior Class Secretary, Boys State attendee, and member of the Battle of the Brains Team. Key Club Advisor Major Richard Ramos, Key Club Advisor says of Charles, “His exemplary dedication to community service has been essential to influencing more Cadets to join the Key Club, growing membership and enhancing our school’s capacity to serve. In every capacity, Charles consistently demonstrates intellect and tenacity with the potential to lead teams to the next level.”
Charles is heading off to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his Key Club scholarship will help pay uniform costs and any other fees not covered by his appointment.
This year’s Zoppa Scholar Megan Lane has earned a 4.34 cumulative grade point average and has been on the Honor Roll throughout her school career. She joined the Key Club in 9th grade and has participated actively throughout her high school years. During this school year, Megan served as Social Chair and Club Editor. Key Club Advisor Avanti Yamamoto writes, “Megan is everything you would like to see in an officer — dedicated, kind, consistent, dependable, thoughtful, and hard-working. She is one of the most active members of our leadership team. Megan’s leadership has contributed to raising donations for various charities such as the SPCA, Toys for Tots, Hanover Humane Society, Hanover Safe Place, Commonwealth Catholic Charities and local food banks.”
In addition to the Key Club, Megan has participated in many other activities, including as Atlee DECA Secretary, and she is a member of the National Beta Club, National Honor Society, and German Honor Society. In addition, Megan has been a four-year member of the Atlee Girls Swim Team and has qualified for participation in Statewide competitions. This fall Megan will attend Virginia Tech.
As we recognize these young servant-leaders, we also give a special thanks to the Kiwanians who have supported them: our Key Club Committee Chair Jim Ryan; Kiwanis advisors Chris Beach, Matt Connors, and Barbara Dickinson; and other long-time committee members Jim Irby and John McGinty. Service leadership programs like Key Club are a signature feature of any vibrant Kiwanis Club, and keeping ours running strong is a beautiful example of teamwork and long-term dedication. If you are a Richmond Kiwanian interested in giving of our time and talent to this service arm of our Club, contact Jim Ryan or Club President Jim Donahue!