Name: Ethan Schmidt
Pronouns: He/him
District: Alabama District
Hometown: Vestavia Hills, Alabama, U.S.
Key Club name: Key Club of Vestavia Hills High School
Year in school: 11th grade/junior
Clubs or activities outside of Key Club:
Lincoln Douglas debate, math team, youth in government, work in nonprofits
Why did you join Key Club?
I joined Key Club on a whim during the start of my freshman year of high school. My friends told me that it was a good outlet for community service, which piqued my interest. I can still remember my very first meeting when my advisor showed our members the international board. From that point forward, I was intrigued with how international Key Club truly was, and I knew I had made an amazing decision.
Why did you decide to run for the Key Club International board?
I was both inspired by past international board members and motivated to bring a fresh perspective. Watching the ambitious work of the Global Relations and Programs and Partners committees, I knew early on that I wanted to be in a position to both develop programs and our presence globally.
What are you most looking forward to this year?
I am looking forward to committee work and district pairing work. Both Global Relations and Membership Development and Growth have some strategic projects in store that members should be excited about! I am also grateful to be serving such amazing districts. Getting to know the quirks of each district has excited me for what’s to come.
What do you like most about Key Club International?
My personal favorite facet is undoubtedly the culture. There’s a certain rapport that members are able to instantaneously build with Key Club as a commonality. When members are able to bond through a common theme of service and volunteerism, it sets a precedent that many other organizations look to.
What is your career ambition?
If I were to narrow it down to two potential careers, I would choose a career in international law or a career as a creative director for a company.
Favorite movie or TV show:
My favorite movie is “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” While I think it goes without saying, it’s such an intimate and strong story portrayed so well by every cast member. On the complete flipside, my favorite show is probably “Dance Moms.”
Favorite book:
My favorite book is “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini. If there’s a book you want to ugly-cry to, this is definitely the one!
Favorite food or snack:
My favorite snack is definitely Goldfish crackers. It’s a snack you simply cannot go wrong with. My personal favorite (and irrefutably the best flavor) is the vanilla cupcake Goldfish, but that’s another loaded conversation…
Favorite animal:
My favorite animal is a seal. I feel like seals are criminally underrated!
Somewhere you would like to visit in the future:
I would love to travel to Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia) at some point.
What is the best advice ever given to you?
If you’re going to do something, do it well.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I used to want to be a meteorologist. I was obsessed with all things weather when I was younger.