Buckeyes are all about making the world a better, more hospitable place. The students at Ohio State Lima are doing their parts and finding their place in the process.
In the case of Circle K International, the group of first-year students can lean on the club’s ideals of service, fellowship and leadership while putting together a club devoted to service to others.
“Helping other makes me feel like I am fulfilling my purpose,” said Lexy Payne, Circle K secretary and dual major in business administration and aviation management. “There are so many things that we often take for granted that not everyone has. So being able to give back to those who are less fortunate makes me feel better.”
While the outward focus of the club is volunteering and service, Payne and the other members have also been growing both their leadership skills and friend groups. Since the start of the academic year, Circle K’ers have been planning projects, interacting with the members of their sponsoring Kiwanis Club, attending events around the state and doing service. As they work together to build a club, they are forming strong links that make their experience at Ohio State smoother and deeper.
“By joining clubs on campus, I made friends that I truly believe I will stay friends with for a long time. I feel less alone in my transition into college,” said Carys Donaldson, Circle K treasurer and first-year biology student. “Having a close-knit group helps me feel like I have people that I can fall back on during hard times. I feel like other people are in the same boat as me as we take on this crazy journey.”
The Circle K Club has gathered and distributed hygiene bags for the homeless, worked at a Halloween Trick or Trot 5K, helped high school students choose free prom dresses at a service project called Diva’s Den, and are planning their first trip to Ohio Circle K’s district convention.
The club meets at noon on Thursdays in the Perry Webb Student Life Building. They are happy to add to their growing group.
“Having a smaller knit group inside of the large Buckeye community is nice because it gives me a since of belonging,” Payne said and Donaldson echoed, “I feel like I belong and I can help others feel like they belong as well.”
