The Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club recognized eight graduating seniors Thursday evening during its annual Key Club scholarship presentation, honoring students for their academic achievement, leadership and commitment to community service.
The students each received a $500 scholarship during the ceremony held at the club’s evening meeting in Hopkinsville.
Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club President Amy Jones praised the recipients for embodying the organization’s mission of service and leadership.
Jones said the students represented “the very best” of the community because of both their academic accomplishments and their service to others through Key Club activities.
According to the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, scholarship applicants were required to be graduating seniors, active Key Club members and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA. Students also completed essays discussing what Key Club meant to them and provided recommendations from advisors.
This year’s scholarship recipients were:
- Sophie Wilson
- Addison Gilkey
- Iris Gao
- Gavin Harton
- Ella Kate Colley
- Megan Long
- Alyvia Johnson
- Alyssa Grise
Jones said the scholarships recognized not only academic success, but also hours of volunteer service and leadership shown by the students throughout high school.
“To our seniors, these $500 scholarships are a small token of our gratitude for the hours you’ve given and the leadership you’ve shown,” Jones said. “We are so excited to see how you carry this spirit of service to your next chapter.”
The ceremony also recognized the educators and volunteers who advise local Key Club chapters. Nikki Chambers with the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club introduced the advisors and their schools.
Local Key Club advisors recognized during the event included:
- Bev Fort — Christian County High School
- Kim Batts — Hopkinsville High School
- Tracy Williams — University Heights Academy
- Beth Brown — Heritage Christian Academy
Jones thanked the advisors for mentoring students and helping develop future leaders.
“You are the backbone of this partnership,” Jones said. “While these seniors did the work, you provided the compass. You gave your afternoons and weekends to ensure they didn’t just finish their service hours, but truly understood what it means to be a servant leader.”
Founded in 1925, Key Club International is the oldest and largest student-led high school service organization in the world. The organization operates under the umbrella of Kiwanis International and focuses on leadership development, character building and community service among high school students.
Kiwanis International, founded in 1915, is a global service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities. Local Kiwanis clubs sponsor Key Clubs in high schools and support youth leadership programs, scholarships and volunteer projects.
The Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club has served the community for more than a century and sponsors Key Clubs at several Christian County schools. In addition to scholarships, the organization supports a variety of local charitable and youth-focused programs throughout the year.
Jones encouraged the scholarship recipients to continue their service after graduation and remain involved in Kiwanis-affiliated organizations while attending college.
She also encouraged students to seek out Circle K International chapters in college, the collegiate branch of the Kiwanis family.
“And congratulations to the class of 2026,” Jones said.
