The Polk City Kiwanis chapter has been functioning for 75 years, and helping the youth of the community for just as long. 

The Polk City Kiwanis has been giving out three scholarships to North Polk seniors for the past 50 years, and they don’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. In the past, the organization became interested in the lives of seniors in high school. Krista Bowersox, a member of the organization explains, “The Kiwanis Club was very interested in what the Seniors were doing: class subjects they were taking, extra curricular activities, community interests. Kiwanis members are always in awe of the busy schedules seniors have.”

While the process starts with teachers nominating seniors they see fit, the Kiwanis looks for students that possess leadership skills, volunteer and are active in the community. 

Students receive lots of recognition for their hard work when they receive the Student of the Month honor. Bowersox explains, “[Students receive] peer recognition and [are] mentioned in the North Polk Living, Polk City Chamber Facebook. Also, it’s a resume builder and their parents love it.” 

To honor the winning student, the Polk City Kiwanis honors the students at their home. They gather on the student’s driveway and award them with a certificate. The student is then asked about their future plans, as well as the activities that they are currently involved in. 

Bowersox’s favorite part of the event is, “Meeting the seniors and their families, learning about each senior and their future goals and dreams.”

The seniors that have been selected for this years’ Kiwanis Student of the Month are: Bryce Aspengren, Whitney Jameson, Sydney Mast, Ava Austin, Andrew Haney, Alexis Huskey, Madeline Bequeaith, Olivia Smith, Colby Anderson, Cale Engebretson, Jacob Feldmann, Isabelle Rutledge, Anthony Capaldo, Kaylie Rozenboom, Coby Lungren, Kali Cam, Audrey Wessels, Alexis Dorsett and Hailey Volz. 

All students also have the opportunity to receive one of three $1,000 scholarships given through the Kiwanis. Seniors are able to apply for the scholarship in January, and have the potential to receive it at the May awards night.