Today we’d like to introduce you to Zania Karim.
Hi Zania, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I joined Key Club at Carroll High School in 2023 because I wanted to be part of a school organization that had a strong sense of community and pride, not just because I liked volunteering. I had already embraced helping my community through GRACE and teaching at my mosque, but Key Club showed me how service can impact not only those you’re helping, but also yourself. Through the club, I found myself volunteering more consistently with causes and organizations I genuinely cared about.
Carroll Key Club is a 188-member organization centered on leadership and service. During my sophomore year, I served as Programs Committee Chair, planning speakers and programs for our regular meetings, club inductions, and inter-clubs, as well as presenting programs to other service groups in the school and community. Part of my role was making sure every meeting included a service opportunity, from quick activities to larger projects. This experience taught me how to coordinate events, manage logistics, and engage members in meaningful ways.
During my junior year, I stepped into the role of vice president, where I helped expand our service initiatives, including biweekly projects like volunteering with Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, GRACE Food Pantry and Garden, Red Bags food drive, and Miracle. I also helped lead fundraising efforts, such as spirit nights, pickleball socials, and booths in Southlake Town Square, which together raised over $2,500 to support our service projects and leadership conference (LEDCON).
Now, as president in my senior year, I focus on guiding our club to continue growing in both service and leadership. It’s incredible to see how much impact a group of dedicated students can have on our community, and being part of that, helping coordinate projects, inspire members, and see the tangible results of our efforts, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my high school experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a completely smooth road. With 188 members, my fellow officers and I often joke that running our Key Club is a lot like managing a small company. One of the biggest challenges is finding service opportunities and events that appeal to everyone, while also keeping such a large group connected and engaged as a community.
We’ve learned to turn that challenge into a strength by asking members what they’re interested in and finding ways to make it happen. Whether it’s volunteering with elder-focused programs, youth-focused initiatives, sports-related events, or art-centered projects, we try to hit all the areas our members care about. Keeping the sense of community strong is just as important, so we also organize social events, like our Monsters Inc. movie night last year, which was a huge hit, that give everyone a chance to connect outside of service.
We’re also lucky to have support from our partner organization, Kiwanis Southlake. Whenever we run into roadblocks or need extra hands, they step in to help, which has been invaluable for both our planning and execution. These challenges have taught us how to collaborate, communicate, and adapt, ultimately making our club stronger and more united.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In Key Club, I focus on connecting service with leadership, helping our members find meaningful ways to give back while also building a strong, supportive community. I’ve held several officer roles—Programs Committee Chair, vice president, and now president—which has given me the opportunity to plan biweekly service projects, organize speakers and educational programs, and oversee both logistics and member engagement for our 188-member club.
I specialize in creating programs and opportunities that appeal to a wide range of interests. Whether it’s elder-focused volunteering, youth programs, sports, or art-related projects, I work to make sure everyone has a way to contribute that resonates with them. On top of that, I coordinate fundraising initiatives, like spirit nights and booths at Southlake Town Square, that have raised over $2,500 to support our service projects and conferences like LEDCON.
What I’m most proud of is seeing our club members become a community and watching the tangible impact we’ve made on our community. I think what sets me apart is how I combine planning (lots of it!) with collaboration (with our amazing officers!) to make service meaningful and fun for everyone involved. I love finding ways to connect people to causes they care about, and the opportunity to turn a large group of students into a tight-knit, passionate community that’s genuinely excited to make a difference is infinitely worth all the effort that goes into it all.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think of risk-taking as stepping into situations where the outcome isn’t guaranteed, but the potential for growth or impact is worth it. For me, one of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping into leadership roles in Key Club. When I first joined, I didn’t know many people, and I definitely didn’t have the experience to plan events or lead a group of nearly 200 members. However, that’s why I wanted to put myself out there: to learn how to! Taking on the role of Programs Committee Chair—and later vice president and president—meant putting myself in front of the club, making decisions that affected a large group, and taking responsibility for both successes and setbacks.
Another risk has been experimenting with new service projects and fundraising initiatives. For example, when we sell a different concept in Southlake Town Square or try a new service activity at a meeting, there’s no guarantee it will go smoothly or be well-received. But, taking those risks has allowed us to raise significant funds, engage more members, and expand the impact of our club.
I view risk as an opportunity to learn and grow. Even when things don’t go perfectly, the experience teaches you how to plan better, adapt, and build confidence. I’ve learned that taking thoughtful risks, not reckless ones, can open doors to bigger ideas and more meaningful service.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://slckeyclub3.wixsite.com/slckeyclub
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slc.keyclub.25?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
