After a year of distance learning and virtual meetings, Key Club members were hopeful for an in-person Region Training Conference (RTC). However, it will be held virtually once again.

“It’ll definitely be a lot different than it has in the past years, because one of the big things they do is they do cheers and have a spirit competition with all the schools in the district and at the end, they name the school with the most spirit, as far as the Key Club,” Key Club Adviser Mary Breslin said. “So in the virtual setting, they do icebreakers and breakout rooms to try to get kids from different schools together to interact, but it’ll definitely not be as exciting as it is when you’re in person.”

There are various workshops with other members of Key Club to build bonds and learn more about the club itself.

“Key clubbers like myself find RTC a pretty important event as it really kickstarts people’s spirits and helps the rest of the members get out of their comfort zone and simply have fun without any shame,” Key Club historian Alyana Arciaga said. “It also helps members get to learn more about Key Club as well as complete service opportunities through the workshops. In essence, it really is just a great bonding experience between members which is what makes it an important event.”

Although many members, especially seniors, are currently hoping for more in-person opportunities, it is most likely that many in-person events, such as the Fall Rally, will occur virtually as well.

“It’s not really what I expected or desired considering it is my senior year and I was hoping to have one last real RTC in-person, but I’m hopeful for part two of RTC that’ll happen later in the school year,” Arciaga said. “I still look forward to the online workshops and service activities we will do at virtual RTC, but I’ll certainly miss the cheering and in-person aspect of it.”

Even though virtual RTC is not the same as in person, the social activities, like learning about new icebreakers and creating a welcoming atmosphere, will still occur.

“Virtual RTC last year was pretty new and different,” Arciaga said. “For the first one, it seemed pretty organized and truly represented what the workshops and service events are like in-person. We mainly got to listen to people all over the division, learn more about Key Club, and complete fun activities, icebreakers, and online service.”