Three AHS students recently attended the Alabama Key Club District Convention that was held in Mobile at the Riverfront Renaissance Hotel. The three-day conference had more than 400 in attendance from all over the state, and promoted Key Club, the largest student-led service organization in the world.

The Alabama District Board consists of two executive positions, governor and secretary, and 20 lieutenant governors; these 22 students oversee the 8,500 members of Key Club in Alabama.

This past year, Taran Carrasco served as the district secretary and Charlie Brock served as the lieutenant governor for District 17. During the convention, they retired their positions for the 2015-16 year, and RJ Carrasco was installed onto the 2016-2017 district board. RJ will serve as the new lieutenant governor, replacing Brock.

At convention, Taran was awarded the Sandy Nininger Award, which is the top honor given to a single Key Club member in the state.

Nininger was a war hero and West Point graduate who contributed in many ways to Key Club. For this award, Taran received a gold medal for exemplifying the high standards required of this recipient.  She was nominated by Alabama District Governor Jacob Dennis.

“It was an honor to have been selected out of all of our members,” Taran said. “I get to work with our members throughout the year, so I see how outstanding these students are. To be selected was a sweet surprise, and something I will cherish for years to come.”

Four scholarships for $1,000 each were awarded to top students across the state who contributed greatly to their home club and district. Charlie was the recipient of one of these Kiwanis-Family Scholarships.

“Serving with Key Club has been an honor, but receiving a scholarship was an unexpected surprise,” Charlie said. “I am very grateful for the opportunities Key club has given me, and continues to provide.”

Charlie and Taran are both seniors, and RJ is a freshman.