Name: Grace Nelson
Pronouns: she/her
District: Illinois-Eastern Iowa District
Key Club: Batavia High School
Year in school: 12
What are your hobbies outside of Key Club?
Playing the drums, running, listening to music and hanging out with my friends.
Why did you join Key Club?
As a past K-Kid, the Kiwanis family has always been integral to my life. I’ve loved community service since before I can remember and honestly thought that’s all Key Club did. When I walked into our club fair, the energy of the Key Club booth was unmatched. It was swarmed with members and incoming freshmen, each one laughing and smiling — which was pretty special, considering this was after an hour of orientation telling us how to be high schoolers. This energy has stuck through my entire time in Key Club.
I joined for the service and stayed for the community.
Why did you run for the international board?
Key Club has supported me in so many ways, and much of this was facilitated by our past leaders. There’s something so inspiring to see someone your age leading such an expansive organization — and doing it to promote your voice. As a lieutenant governor, I learned the art of bridge-building, one of the most vital skills of an international trustee. Seeing the connections Key Clubbers in my division made — alongside their growth as leaders in the community — showed me the tangible impact servant leadership can make. I wanted to see this impact not only within my home, school and community but around the world. As members of the international board, we have the opportunity to do this.
What do you like most about Key Club?
It’s such a unique organization. No matter what part of the globe we come from, each of us is connected by our dedication to service. We all have different values, backgrounds and aspirations, yet we join together to celebrate the combined impact we can make when working together. I’ve always said this, and I know so many others do too, but Key Club truly is my second family.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I’m so excited to see more Key Club members getting involved in our campaigns with partners! From Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF to being a tutor for Schoolhouse, there are so many ways to discover passions and routes to make real change in the world.
What is your favorite Key Club memory and why?
Volunteering at the Kiwanis booth at our town’s farmers market! I was truly able to see the interconnectedness of the Kiwanis family and how the values we follow reflect onto the world around us.
What is your Key Club leadership experience?
I’ve been involved in leadership on every level of Key Club now! I started as a freshman representative for my club and then was elected to be our club treasurer. Shortly after that, there was an open lieutenant governor position, and I had the opportunity to take it. The next year I became an at-large lieutenant governor (not for my home division) and UNICEF Champion for the Illinois-Eastern Iowa District.
What is your career ambition? Immigration and divorce attorney
What is your favorite book?
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott
What is your favorite animal?
Quokkas
What is a place you would like to visit in the future?
The Rhine River
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A lawyer (I talked A LOT)
What is your favorite food or snack? Anything matcha or fruit!
Do you collect anything?
I like to collect little snippets from places I go and things I’m doing to put on my scrapbook wall.
What is the best advice ever given to you?
Appreciate what you have and share what you can. There is always someone out there you can help.