Circle K International, a service-based organization that focuses on leadership and fellowship, became active in the spring semester after a year of obstacles and paperwork.
President of the organization, Keyleen Argueta, a sophomore biochemistry major, said Circle K is similar to DOVE, both with a focus on community service, but Circle K offers more for members.
“Circle K provides service and fundraising about specific goals and there’s support from other schools,” Argueta said. “It’s one big network of resources and friends.”
She said the club’s specific goal is to support children and children’s education in foreign countries.
Argueta said future events include writing cards to patients at children’s hospitals, potential collaborations with other organizations and a surprise event in April.
“It’s a little secret, but I can say that it’s a fundraising event, and it’s going to be big,” Argueta said.
Other schools within the area who are involved with Circle K include Montclair, Caldwell and NJIT. Members at Seton Hall are also invited to attend events at those schools.
Ordelys Rojas, a sophomore biochemistry major and vice president of Circle K, said her reason for joining and being part of the executive board was personal.
“I want to go into pediatrics, and right now we're focusing on doing service with children,” Rojas said. “So, for me, it's like a stepping stone into my future career.”
Rojas said a goal for the spring semester is to establish the club, specifically with helping children.
“We're a really new club, so we want to be able to get a solid standing of members that are consistently showing up and doing the work,” Rojas said.
Rojas added that the organization is open to all students.
“You can join for so many reasons, like community service hours,” Rojas said. “If that's what you need, you can join for service projects or to make friends.”
Edward Strong, a junior math major and Circle K’s treasurer, said that although the club is starting out, the most memorable moment so far was funding for the organization.
“Roughly a week or two before our first presentation to the SGA, we all collaborated and chipped in on a slide project,” Strong said. “We presented, we gave our hearts out, and I think we all came back happy from that.”
Strong said the club’s first general meeting on Feb. 3 had a “surprisingly good turnout.”
“I would say everyone involved had some fun,” he said. “Meetings are to be determined and we’ll reach out to members about the changes in dates.”
Christina Kim, a junior social and behavioral sciences major and Circle K’s secretary, said when she first joined the executive board, it was “intimidating.”
“This is my first time getting a leadership position,” Kim said. “I’m trying to do the best I can and give it my all. This is a great opportunity not only professionally but also socially because you build long term relationships and genuine bonds.”
Kim said members interested in officially joining have to pay dues, but Circle K makes sure that it is covered through other means.
“There shouldn’t be any prerequisites to performing acts of service because anyone is capable of doing acts of service,” she said.
Kimberly Fallas can be reached at kimberly.fallas@student.shu.edu.
