KHS is littered with many obscure clubs, many of which do charity work for the school or community.  

Created by Xorge Hernandez, the One Flag club creates awareness of cultures present at KHS and around the world. The club discusses topics that range from cultural traditions to education systems. Sponsored by Angela Scheer, the club is held in her room every Tuesday after school.    

“Globalization is happening, and we have to be prepared for it,” Hernandez, senior, said. “Also, I wanted to give a space for foreign students to tell their story and say, ‘Hey, I exist.’”  

While Hernandez focuses on broad social issues, volunteers from Mission Compassion, Med-Vet and Hands on Helping all make Kirkwood and the world as a whole a better place with the work they put into their clubs.

“Mission Compassion was founded on the basis that the societal assumption that teenagers are worthless and lazy,” Mellie Wolfe, senior and club founder, said.

One of the major charity efforts of the Mission Compassion was the Botswana book drive, in which people donated books overseas to benefit the less fortunate. In total, 23,674 books were sent to Botswana, and the club raised $4,000.  

While Mission Compassion’s book drive helped those overseas, Hands on Helping members volunteer for local charities throughout the year. Last year, the club helped at an orphanage for mentally challenged children.  

“The students have really taken over,” Gina Woodard, club sponsor, said.  

Lastly, Med-Vet members, sponsored by Linda Dubis, science teacher, visit hospice patients ranging from the elderly to kids with cancer at Barnes Jewish Children’s hospital. Their goal is to make the patients feel better and keep them company.

National Art Honors Society (NAHS) combines the talent of student artists with charity work. Throughout the year, the club does more projects such as donating posters to the Special Olympics and having a Christmas craft sale. The skills the students possess are utilized, letting them give back to the community.  

“Our first project was the face painting at the football games in which most of the donations went to the charity of our choice,” Haley Mitchell, sophomore, said. “I enjoy doing art and doing things for a good cause.”