Opportunities to volunteer. A family atmosphere, with connections around the world. These are just a couple of the reasons Clara Starkey has stayed involved with Kiwanis International since her freshman year of high school.

At Greenfield-Central High School, Clara was president of the Kiwanis Key Club, a student-led organization that teaches leadership through service. Now as a junior finance major at Kelley Indianapolis, she is president of the IUPUI chapter of Kiwanis’ Circle K International (CKI), which blends community service and leadership training with the opportunity to meet other college students around the world.

Clara helped to reactivate CKI in 2014, and she says its success since then has exceeded her expectations.

“We recruited 15 more members than I was expecting. We started a mentor program, and we’ve completed more than 500 volunteer hours as a club. There are so many opportunities through Circle K International. It’s given me so much,” said Clara.

“I have made countless friends from around the world while volunteering and developing leadership skills,” Clara added.

Not only has CIK provided Clara opportunities to grow as a leader, the organization is helping her pay for college. Clara is a Cunat International Scholar, having received one of three scholarships awarded to CIK members across the globe.

“I felt so honored to receive the Cunat International Scholarship from an organization that I am passionate about,” said Clara with a proud smile.

Clara is using part of the scholarship to help fund her study abroad experiences in Athens, Greece.