Nacogdoches High School junior Janiya Teal is the 2023-2024 Region 10 Lt. Governor for the Texas-Oklahoma Division of Key Club. Janiya was elected in February, but her official duties began in April.
Janiya is taking over the position for graduating senior Jennifer Ramirez. As Lt. Governor for the region, Janiya will organize training and provide guidance for all high schools with an active Key Club, including those in Nacogdoches, Henderson, Lufkin, Carthage and the private school, Regents Academy.
In April, outgoing and incoming Key Club officers from NHS attended the 74th annual Leadership and Education District Convention at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas. The students participated in caucuses to fill district leadership positions, forums to learn how to better perform club leadership roles, and contests pitting them against Key Club members from schools located across Texas and Oklahoma.
At the convention, NHS Club President David Taravella won first place in the oratory competition for the second year in a row. David was provided a prompt and had to deliver a five-minute impromptu speech. After securing an appearance in the finals, David delivered his speech for all of the 600 Key Club members at the convention’s closing ceremonies.
NHS Key Club is preparing for next year’s convention. The club also helps each June at the Kiwanis Club Blueberry Pancake Breakfast during the Nacogdoches Blueberry Festival in June.
Front row, from left: outgoing co-secretary Jordyn Davis, outgoing District Lt. Gov. Jennifer Ramirez; outgoing treasurer Angelliyha Barlow.
Back row: Incoming District Lt. Gov. Janiya Teal, outgoing president, David Taravella, incoming president Anna Claire McKenzie, incoming activities director Joe Still, outgoing webmaster Addison Heath, incoming vice-president Kathryn Boyett, incoming webmaster Emma Welsh, incoming editor Sterling Smith, incoming secretary Ella Furniss, outgoing co-secretary Isaac Servin.
David Taravella