At the Ohio District Key Club Leadership Conference (DLC) held the weekend of March 15th, Mrs. Keaton was honored with the prestigious Key Club Faculty Advisor of the Year award.
Mrs. Keaton’s unwavering dedication, passion for service, and commitment to guiding students have made a lasting impact on the club and its members, solidifying her as a true inspiration of the Mount Vernon Community. She commented on this honor by saying, “Ohio District’s District Leadership Conference 2025 was meaningful in many ways, but experiencing the Ohio District of Key Club’s culminating event with Olufemi Odiah as presiding governor tops the list. Along with his leadership and the help of Peyton Hauenstein-Cline as his conference co-chair, Mount Vernon High School was represented exceptionally well. Olufemi possesses poise, vision, dedication, and tenacity uncommon in student leadership, and I could not be prouder to have had the opportunity to know him. Peyton did a great job working alongside another lieutenant governor to facilitate and lead our three-day conference event. Without embellishment, this was the best conference of my 12-year tenure because of their leadership.”
“While I am certainly honored to have received the Outstanding Faculty Advisor award during this event, it is not leading or advising students that I am most proud of; it is the opportunity to partner and walk alongside incredible students who have a heart for service and a work ethic to support their passion. While I am certainly sad to leave this position, I could not be happier about the future of service at Mount Vernon High School. Past boards and individual leaders have moved this club to being fully student-led. It is that legacy that prides me the most.”
Former Key Club President, Lilly Percy states, “ Mrs. Keaton is very deserving of this award and is an extremely passionate advisor. Through my time on the board, she always worked to guide us and help us grow in our leadership skills. Mrs. Keaton puts 100% into everything she does and it shows. I don’t think I would be the leader I am today without her and her pushing our club forward.”
This was a remarkable year for Mount Vernon’s Chapter of Key Club. Senior Olufemi Odiah oversaw the conference as the Ohio District Key Club Governor, which is the highest Key Club position in the Ohio district. Peyton Haunstein-Cline is a Lieutenant Governor and was the Co-Chair of the DLC planning committee, and he also received third place in the DLC talent show.
Key Club is a volunteer and community service organization that is committed to serving the community. Key Club stands for Kiwanis Educated Youth and the Mount Vernon High School Key Club is responsible for the Winter Formal, MVHS Blood Drives and many other community service projects.
