At McDeeds Creek Elementary in Southern Pines, North Carolina, U.S., the K-Kids club is a powerhouse of young talent and leadership. With a whopping 170 members last year, this vibrant club thrives on the energy and enthusiasm of its officers and members, who are encouraged to lead meetings and spearhead activities that align with their passions.
One of the club’s standout features is its innovative election process. The club’s faculty advisor, Michelle Crews, has transformed club elections into an exciting, formal event that mirrors real-world campaigns.
“We’ve made it a big deal,” Crews says. “The kids create campaign videos for their desired office, and we even hold a primary election with a first ballot through Google Forms. It’s all about getting them excited and passionate about leadership and service.”
Even beyond elections, the club is structured to maximize student engagement. Members are organized into committees, such as the Reading Buddy Committee, where they can apply their talents to make a difference.
“We have different committees every year according to the kiddos’ talents, personality and interests,” says Crews. “One year we had a newspaper committee that was amazing at putting out a school newspaper (“News from the Creek”) once a month.”
Previous committees include Maker Space Helpers, for kids who love to focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and Safety Patrol, where future community helpers open car doors during drop-off and pick-up and help keep hallways safe and orderly.
Crews also ensures the students take ownership of meeting agendas, with the president, vice president and other officers handling notes themselves. This approach keeps them organized and empowers them to lead with confidence.
The club’s service projects are a blend of education and fun, tailored to the students’ interests.
“Animals are near and dear to their hearts,” Crews notes, “so we organize a penny drive, with the funds going to a charity that helps animals.”
October is especially exciting with the club’s “Socktober” initiative. Students wear their favorite socks while planning and executing service projects for the month. In fact, the kids take the lead in planning all service activities for the year, learning valuable lessons in project management and promotion along the way.
At McDeeds Creek Elementary, K-Kids isn’t just a club — it’s a launchpad for future leaders.