Key Club Holds Its 71st Annual DCON

During the first week of April, Key Club held its 71st annual California-Nevada-Hawaii District Convention, also known as CNH DCON.

This was a three-day convention in which Key Clubbers from all over California, Nevada, and Hawaii gathered together to bond, celebrate, and learn what it means to be a true Key Clubber and give back to the community. It was an eye-opening, once-in-a-lifetime experience that taught countless Key Clubbers the value of being part of the community and establishing close relationships with those around you.

This year’s DCON took place at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hilton Hotel Anaheim, which is within walking-distance from the convention center. Throughout the course of three days, Key Clubbers were able to spend downtime in their hotel rooms, as well as explore the hotel and convention center to attend the different symposiums and events that were held. These ranged from discussions on previous and upcoming projects to ice-breaker activities that urged people to engage with each other and make new friends. There were also informational conferences for newly-elected club officers, as well as meetings for people who held positions like SAA (Sergeant-At-Arms) and Delegates during the course of the convention.

Though during the daytime people broke out into their own groups of friends with the freedom to attend any program, the evenings united all the Key Clubbers in a big general gathering. There, people joined with their regional Key Club divisions. Before the general gatherings started, divisions had spirit battles to determine the most spirited and passionate division.

During the session, the student officers of CNH District Board discussed the value of community, family, leadership, and character-building, among numerous other inspirational and valuable topics. Despite the long duration of the general sessions, there was never a dull or tedious moment, as everyone buzzed with excitement and frequently cheered; there was a strong sense of unity during these general gatherings and throughout all three days of DCON.

The night before our departure from DCON, there was a dance in the hotel ballroom. It was a time of festivities and last pictures with life-long friends. The next morning, before checking out of the hotels and bidding farewells, there was one final general session that united the California-Nevada-Hawaii Key Clubbers for the last time. This particular session was special, not only because it was our last time as a whole Key Club district until next year’s DCON, but also because the Lieutenant Governor-Elects were officially appointed as Lieutenant Governor for the new school year. This was when the tears really began to flow. After the celebration and heartfelt good-byes, DCON was officially over.

Attending DCON taught me so many things, on so many different levels. I understand the importance of building strong relationships with others and contributing to my surrounding community. This convention also opened my eyes to exactly how large-scale Key Club is. Physical boundaries, even state borders, can’t hold back the love we have for Key Club that unites us. Seeing all these Key Clubbers from three different states joined together in one convention center was truly amazing. This past DCON was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.