Helen Wilson
Staff Writer
Unlocking the past: A journey through the enduring legacy of our high school’s Key Club.
“The club was chartered in 1947 and is sponsored by the Winston Salem Kiwanis Club, which is a service club for adults,” John Clevenger, history teacher, and Key Club advisor said.
Along with Reynolds, The Winston Salem Kiwanis Club also sponsors Parkland High School’s Key Club.
“Winston Salem Kiwanis Club is the oldest club in this area, and the Reynolds Key Club and the Parkland Key Club are the oldest in this area,” Roby Walls, Kiwanis Club member, said.
For those that don’t know, Key Club is actually an acronym that stands for “Kiwanis Educate Youth.” While the Kiwanis club is dedicated to improving the world one school at a time, they knew that they needed youth to help. The partnership has flourished ever since.
In addition to the hard, talented service work this club provides to the community and our school, they also showcase the school talent show: Follies.
“On May 21, 1948, the Key Club was the host of what was known as ‘The Variety Show,’ Walls said. “Since 1948, the show has been known as the Key Club Follies. It has been said that The Follies is the best high school variety show in the southeastern United States.”
Not only is Roby Walls a member of the Kiwanis Club, he was previously the Key Club advisor here at Reynolds.
“The first follies I ever saw was in April of 1971,” Walls said. “I had just taken a job in March of 1971 at Reynolds High School as a social studies teacher. At the beginning of the 1971-1972 school year I was named the Key Club faculty advisor and I have attended every Follies production since April 1971.”
A few notable performers in The Key Club Follies are now a part of the Reynolds Arts Hall of Fame.
“Howell Binkley was the light designer for the Follies during his time at Reynolds,” Walls said. “His company now lights shows on Broadway and has been nominated and won several Tony Awards. He is a member of the Reynolds High School Arts Hall of Fame.”
Another performer to rise from the Follies ranks was Mike Willson.
“He was an emcee for the Follies when he was a student at Reynolds,” Walls said. “He attended UNC on the Morehead Scholarship, graduated with a degree in theater, and is working on shows on Broadway. Mike is also a member of the Reynolds High Arts Hall of Fame.”
While most students might recognize the Key Club for all the laughs on stage, the real commitment of the club is community service.
“We have a strong tradition of service, we have some committed guys and girls,” Clevenger said. “We have a good camaraderie— a lot of service projects in the community and the school. We build great leaders, and we have great t-shirts,” Clevenger said.
As the Key Club continues to open doors of opportunity, it inspires generations of students to serve and lead with passion. Key Club is a representation of how all RJR should aspire to be, individuals who care for their school and community.