UA Circle K Members Honored at International Convention

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — University of Alabama student members of Circle K recently took top honors at the International Circle K Convention in Orlando, Fla., a meeting that has been regularly attended by UA students for the past 27 years.

Representing the University this year were Circle K President Pete Holiday of Lexington, Ill.; member Stephen Yates of Tuscaloosa; Circle K District Lt. Gov. Kimberly Eaton of Tuscaloosa; Circle K District Editor Dana Lackey of Hueytown; board member Katherine King of Marietta, Ga.; and UA Club Secretary Cathy Collier of Gadsden.

At the International Convention, three of the UA students — Lackey, Eaton and Yates — were honored with scholarships.

Lackey was recognized for his work as editor of the “Klub Krier”, the club’s newsletter. As well as receiving a trophy for his accomplishments, Lackey accepted the Cunat Visionary Scholarship for $2,500. The scholarship is the largest presented by Circle K International. He also received the Kiwanis International Foundation-Alabama District of Kiwanis Foundation scholarship for $1,000. Lackey was elected Alabama District Editor for the 2002-2003 year in March.

Eaton was honored with the George Gray Award for Distinguished District Editor for her work during the 2001-2002 year. She was also the recipient of a Kiwanis International Foundation-Alabama District of Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship for $1,000.

Yates received the Eubanks Scholarship for $2,000. It is the second largest scholarship presented by Circle K International.

Holiday said that although the members do not strive to receive special recognition for their work, their awards show the club’s strength. “I think its great that we have that kind of leadership where we can go and show our leadership skills,” he said.

“The works our members do are not done to get awards. The awards are a kind of pat on the back. It encourages us to do better. It also helps us with our membership and our recruiting.”

He added that the convention was a way to celebrate a year of service. They were also recognized for their work on the club newsletter, which won 1st place and their scrapbook, which won 3rd place in the international competition.

Throughout the year, Circle K has participated with many other organizations in serving not only the University, but the surrounding community as well. Their long list of volunteerism includes co-sponsoring chartering of a builder’s club, a branch of Circle K, at Eastwood Middle School. Club members partnered with their sponsor, the Tuscaloosa Kiwanis Club, to become mentors to the middle school students.

In addition, the club continues to serve the University. Some of their most successful projects are the luminaries on the Quad in December, working with Bryce Hospital, The Salvation Army and the Metro Animal Shelter.

Holiday said the club would continue these projects and several more this year. “We did several thousand hours of community service this past year,” he said. “Twenty-five to 30 different service projects have been completed this year. We’re going to continue the projects throughout the year for the University and for the community.”

Students interested in joining Circle K can attend one of their weekly meetings held on either Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in 359 Bidgood, or Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Center. To be more accessible to students wishing to be involved in community service, the club officers have begun holding meetings on two nights each week; members need only attend the meeting of their choice.

The UA Circle K Club has been established on campus for more than 40 years; alumni of the organization are encouraged to contact David Womack, club adviser, at 205/348-9558 to get in touch with current members.