What’s recently happened?
Hanover Central High School’s Key Club chose to spread the holiday spirit this December. The group did this by hosting the Breakfast with Santa event on December 2.
Upon a closer look, the breakfast lasted from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. and took place in the building near Holy Name Catholic Church in the Grand Tots Gym.
Throughout, entertainment was obtained. There were crafts along with a raffle. Likewise, there were foods typical of an American breakfast, and the pancakes proved to be a fine delicacy.
This has importantly become a long-held tradition for the club. It remains as an opportunity for people to come out together as a community. Not only this, it is also necessary to keep the club itself running.
“The goal is to raise funds so that we can host future events,” said Key Club Sponsor Mary Joan Dickson.
To set up for the breakfast, club members came in early to set up at 7:45 a.m. Afterwards, they made a swift cleaning that lasted only 23 minutes. Dickson notes that this was much faster than in previous years.
Key Club prizes the value of leadership. At the event, this value was spotted: everybody had different roles to fill and no one was idle. Some members were working the kitchen. Some were elves in the light of that holiday spirit. One member was Santa.
The usual turn out for this event was decent enough in itself.
“More people show up to this event,” said Key Club Co-President Madalene Huppenthal.
Still, there used to be more activity going on. The cause of this circles back to the effects of COVID-19. Social interaction is still not exactly as it once was. Members aren't as interactive because of the gap created by the prudent quarantining. Overall, the crowds are not as big as they once were within the club and community attendance.
Still, Key Club will keep hosting and organizing. The motive makes it all the more worthwhile, and people do eventually show.
What’s coming up?
Key Club’s outreach does not end with Breakfast with Santa. The club is planning to host two more events in January: the Penny Wars and the Free Fitness Fair.
Penny Wars is more of an in-school event. Simply put, it is a competition between student resource time (SRT).
Students are to bring in money. The brought-in pennies count for points, but silver coins and dollars take away points. Still, all contributions are welcome since the goal is to raise money. It is if one wants to win the competition that the bronze coins are needed.
Meanwhile, the Free Fitness Fair is going to encourage the community to engage in physical activity. In years past, a bicycle was raffled as a prize and as an incentive to attend the event.
Key Club is already discussing and planning what might be done.
Staff spotlight
Mary Joan Dickson is the Key Club’s sponsor. Besides this, she worked as a park director. Now, she is active in community outreach. Her story deserves to be analyzed in full scope if only to see the value of intention and the impact it can create.
“I think I am here to serve,” said Dickson.
For one, she started Key Club with help from individuals in Highland. She is certain that her daughter also helped to motivate her to start the club. All was done to give back and support the community.
Key Club accomplishes a lot that Dickson is proud of. Granted, she is most proud of the Night Out in a Box event. This started as a way to mimic the homeless. Eventually, the club chose to attach themselves to the St. Jude’s Homeless Shelter in Crown Point.
“It serves mothers and their children,” said Dickson.
The shelter in the county helps those that do not have money. It assists them by offering opportunities for the betterment of each individuals’ situation. The community there is growing, according to Dickson.
Dickson also remains proud of the Night Out in a Box event because of what club members accomplish. There is clear evidence of team building here. Students will sit and talk amongst themselves in a lighthearted fashion at the event, offering time for bonding.
“Live life with compassion,” said Dickson.
Her mother was very influential in shaping the work that she does to this day. She is led by the philosophy that giving to others is the most significant thing that a person can do. The art of servitude should be preached.
Student spotlight
Madalene Huppenthal is a current senior in Hanover Central who participated in the Breakfast with Santa. In actuality, she is one of the co-presidents of Key Club. She helped to oversee the mentioned event.
“I would walk around and make sure that everything is running smoothly,” said Huppenthal.
Service work has seemingly been a constant in Huppenthal’s life. Starting in middle school, she participated in the Builder's Club from grade seven to grade eight. She then continued on the service track by joining Key Club in grade 10 and continuing up to this point with it. She was even a secretary of the stated club last year.
She knows why she does it.
“It’s important to know that I can help other people and bring other people together to get things going,” said Huppenthal.
Her favorite project from Key Club is Night Out in a Box. She participated in this event last year, and is looking forward to doing it all again this school year. She thought it was vital to help the homeless — to help people in harsh and severe situations.
Learning to be a leader was prudent. As such, Huppenthal participated in Key Leader last year on the part of Key Club. She became close with people there and learned what it means to use her voice fully.
In the end, Key Club is sure to remain in impacting her decisions.
“I think no matter what, this club is going to influence what I may do in the future,” said Huppenthal.
Outside of the club, Huppenthal stands as an involved student. She engages in physical activity by being a part of the school cheerleading team. Additionally, she is active on a private cheerleading team that competes competitively in Highland.
Continuing forth, she played tennis in past years. Athleticism surrounds her as seen by the fact that she was a wrestling manager once too.
Ambitiously, she wants to support herself, too. She stays busy by working a job after school on certain days.
Huppenthal is also very musically inclined. She is a part of the school band. Recently, she has joined the school choir where she not only sings, but also does a bit of dance.
“I play the flute and piccolo,” said Huppenthal.
In terms of her plans, Huppenthal is intrigued by the artistic realm. Specifically, that of interior design and architecture. She also enjoys fashion design. Her source of inspiration is her mom.