Kiwanis Club of Naperville announces 2022 scholarship winners

DuPage River Park was the site of this year's Kiwanis Club of Naperville scholarship presentations.

Scholarship candidates consist of graduating seniors of Kiwanis Key Club, attending an accredited college or university.

The Key Club is a student-led organization that provides its members with opportunities to provide service and build character while developing leadership skills.

The Kiwanis Club of Naperville sponsors Key Clubs at both Metea Valley and Waubonsie Valley high schools.

Close to 500 students this year received leadership and management skills through running meetings, planning projects, and holding elected leadership positions.

Scholarship chairman Bob Horton recognized Kiwanis advisers Jim Rose, Walt Kelly, and John Kroening who attended many early morning meetings throughout the year.

Also recognized were Waubonsie faculty advisers Andrew Kruger and Jacqueline Hill and Matea advisers Patti Hoffert and Tye Fox.

Key Club efforts this school year included making superhero capes for pediatric area of hospitals, visits to nursing homes, letters to servicemen, and food drives.

Horton announced the 2022 scholarship winners at the June 27 meeting.

Metea Valley High School winners are: Alopi Shah who plans to attend University of Illinois-Chicago this fall majoring in biology on the premed track; and Priyanka Krishana who will be majoring in finance at Indiana University in Bloomington.

Waubonsie Valley High School winners are: Madeline Wueste, who plans to study business at the University of Texas in Austin, Texas; and Nithya Mullapudi, who will be attending Indiana University in Bloomington to study finance.

Each winner received a $2,000 check to further their education.

The Kiwanis Club of Naperville is part of a volunteer service organization called Kiwanis International. The Kiwanis motto is "Serving the Children of the World."

Found in more than 80 countries, clubs combine to annually raise and donate more than $100 million and 19 million service hours.

Kiwanis International offers three clubs for Adults (Kiwanis, Aktion Club and Circle K International). In addition, clubs for youth include (Builders Club for middle school students' schools in their early teens, K-Kids for elementary school students and Builders Club.)

Past President Fred Jacobs commented " … and you thought we were just about Pancakes and Peanuts!"

If you care for more information, contact Fred Reichelt at (630) 248-0850 or visit naperville-evening.kiwanisone.org.

For over 65 years, the Kiwanis Club of Naperville has focused on serving children and families in need. Annually the club supports over 25 local charities with more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service, as well as the two major fundraisers, Peanut Days and Pancake Festival. Ask a club member how you can make a difference in the community.