West Essex High School Key Club Grooms Leaders

The West Essex High School Key Club is a grooming place for leaders. Advisor Jill Schneck said the club just had its third Lt. Governor elected for the area Key Club Division 18, part of the New Jersey District.

Last year, Joseph Toumanios, a senior from Fairfield served as Lt. Governor. Then Heather Krannich, a junior from North Caldwell, was elected and is serving now. Junior Tyler Katz of North Caldwell, will take over at the District Convention April 5-7 and serve through April, 2014. Each high school Key Club sends two delegates to the Division meetings to share ideas and come up with activities for the Division. Key Club is part of the Kiwanis Club. Joseph Toumanios said serving as a District Lt. Governor is a big responsibility. "I learned leadership and how to present myself in a professional way," he said, adding "you try to make sure everyone's voice is heard."

Last year, Joe, who is currently Division Treasurer, said he worked on a Division talent show.

Heather, who was president of the West Essex Middle School Builder's Club, a middle school chapter of the Key Club, attended Kiwanis Club meetings with her grandparents and volunteered at the Caldwell Street Fair. "I have learned a lot of valuable things from being Lt. Governor, including more ways to serve and hot to become an effective leader.

"Key Club isn't just about community service; our four core values are character building, inclusiveness, caring and leadership," Heather said. Our organization differs from so many others because of our joint focus on student leadership, personal growth and community."

When Tyler takes over, he hopes to do more to help impoverished people living in the Dominican Republic, he said. He also helps to unify the Division, which covers West Essex, Caldwell-West Caldwell, Livingston, Cedar Grove, and Mt. St. Dominic Academy area clubs.

"I am incredibly proud of Joseph, Heather and Tyler," said Club Advisor Jill Schneck. "Both Heather and Joseph have embraced their state and regional responsibilities and have become confident leaders and public speakers, while continuing to be vital members of the West Essex Key Club. Tyler has been an active member of the West Essex Key Club and I am confident that his organizational and leadership skills will enable him to be an excellent Lt. Governor." 

The Key Club is currently working on the Eliminate Project to eliminate tetanus in 41 countries around the world. So far, they have eliminated tetanus is several of the countries, Joe said. .