Brenda Suhan, a St. Louis University freshman, an Arrowhead alumni, a former AHS Key Club president, and Kappa Alpha Theta executive board member, says getting involved in an organization opened more doors for her future than she thought it would.

Suhan was an AHS Key Club exec board member for three years and was an AHS Key Club president for two years.  Suhan says getting involved in Key Club prepared her for her leadership position in her fraternity Kappa Alpha Theta (St. Louis chapter).

“Key Club taught me how to be independent, how to keep members engaged, how to maintain an organizations values, and how to delegate tasks.  That is key, being able to delegate tasks,” said Suhan.

Suhan said Key Club made her stand out when exec board members were being chosen.

“It is very completive and my experience in Key Club made me feel more confident,” said Suhan.

While in Key Club, Suhan communicated with members, overlooked Key Club’s social media, planed events, led meetings, led exec board meetings, and worked with community organizations.

“Kappa Alpha Theta is a step up from Key club, having to work in a new school as well as a new city, with more responsibilities,” said Suhan.

As an exec board member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Suhan is the Chief Marketing Officer, with four officers underneath her, alumni organizer, and communication direction service and philanthropy director.  Suhan works on updating the chapter’s blog, updating the chapter’s social media, works with other exec board members, maintaining a positive image for the chapter which is done through community engagement, engaging members’ families, and just getting the chapter’s values out there in general.

Suhan encourages others to take leadership positions in high school and in college but she said you shouldn’t just take what you can get.

“Do what you are comfortable with, but don’t over extend yourself.  It can be very stressful but before you take a leadership position become a member first so you can see if you like the organization and how it is run, “said Suhan.

Suhan says Theta is helping her when she looks for a job.

“Key Club and Theta helped me learn how to be independent and how to delegate tasks which will help me in  a job, and Key Club and Theta have many connections in the community which always helps when looking for a job.  Theta has also modeled themselves after a business which helps you learn how large corporations work,” Suhan said.

Suhan is not sure if she will take a leadership position in Theta next year.  She says there are still other things she would like to get involved in.  She really enjoys Theta, and says that at the very least she will be a member of Theta again next year.