By Haley Wise, Staff Writer

“I pledge, on my honor, to uphold the Objects of Key Club International; to build my home, school and community; to serve my nation and God; and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.”

Each meeting, the members of the Pantherian Key Club rise and recite this pledge which represents the mission of the club as well as what members should strive to achieve through their membership.  On Tuesday, February 17, five Saegertown students decided to go beyond merely attending meetings and reciting this mantra when they were elected 2015-2016 Key Club Officers.

Junior Stephen Boylan was elected president. Sophomores Sydney Kightlinger and Ben Haylett will serve as vice president and editor, respectively. Freshmen Kaity George and Shannon Hatton will be treasurer and secretary. Key Club adviser Mrs. Melissa Statman said, “I believe these officers will work well together because they are all passionate about Key Club. They are organized and will share responsibility.”

Incoming president Stephen Boylan said, “I believe my responsibility as 2015-2016 President of Saegertown High School’s Key Club is to lead my fellow Keyclubbers to expand our community service involvement beyond our high school.”

Boylan has already begun planning his approach and goals for next year.  “Within our school, I would like to receive more recognition for our accomplishments. I’m eager to further old traditions and create new ones.”

The current officers, seniors, are: president Lexie Erdos, vice president Rachel Smith, treasurer Sarah Allen, secretary Erin Sherry and editor Matt Peters. These officers will continue to serve until the end of the school year, and they will mentor newly elected officers so they will be prepared for next year.

Current president Lexie Erdos said, “Being heavily involved in Key Club throughout high school taught me to be a strong leader, sharpen my public speaking skills, and work on my communication abilities. It required a lot of my time, so it will be strange to not have that responsibility, but I am completely confident in the ability of the upcoming officers.”

Erdos is eager to pass down her responsibilities to such a dependable group of students and allow them to have their own opportunity to improve their skills and abilities. “The new president, Stephen Boylan, will really help the club to grow even more. When I was a freshman, almost no one had even heard of Key Club- it was just starting out. Now, it has grown into one of the most prominent clubs, and I’m sure that the new officers will help the club continue to flourish.”