Q&A: Cameron Colabella

by Violet Donahue
Many of you know Cameron Colabella as a bubbly, loquacious and friendly student who always wears a smile on her face. BUT there is another side to that friendly girl that you may not know…she’s the president. What is she the president of you ask? She is the president of the International Service Organization for High School Students, commonly known as the Key Club here at Nottingham. Cameron has been a valuable asset to this organization since freshman year and has now, deservingly so, won the student poll to be the president of the club. Not only has she been in the Key Club, but she also participated in a staggering amount of other clubs as well! The list of clubs include the French Club, the student producer, set design, set construction and makeup crew for the school play, she has been the captain of the Peer Leadership club, Hamilton News club and the Environmental club. While doing these clubs, Cameron also is a part of the school’s field hockey team. What else can’t she do? But unfortunately, the following interview isn’t about all of Cam’s clubs, because if it was, it would be way too long! This interview focuses mainly on her duties in the key club and how she rose to the top to receive her title as the well-respected president she is today.
Violet Donahue; Interviewer: Why did you join the Key Club?
Cameron Colabella; President: So as a freshman in high school I joined a lot of clubs because I’m not someone who really likes school so my mindset was might as well make the best out of my four years, so I decided to join a lot of clubs to meet people and to kind of get out there. I’ve always really liked volunteering but struggled to find places to volunteer so when I found out about Key Club I joined immediately. I didn’t really know anybody and I was like one of two freshmen who joined that year. I knew some upperclassman that played field hockey with me and I met other upperclassman that were in the club and we all became friends. We volunteered  a lot together and it was really cool because we were  just hanging out, but giving back to the community and helping others. It was really nice having a place that allowed you to find places to volunteer and since joining it helped develop my love and passion for helping others. I also think that in today’s society it’s kind of every man for themself, so to have a club that allows you to just stop for a second and help others is something that has definitely bettered my life. 

Violet: What Exactly is the Key Club?
Cam: The Key Club is an international service organization for high school students. Members of Key Club perform acts of service to their community, and this is in many forms such as volunteering at local events at Nottingham and or at elementary schools, to cleaning up parks such as Kuser Farm Park and helping organize food and clothing drives. A lot of students are apart Key Club, more then you would think and especially students you might not think would want to volunteer. It’s very cool seeing so many students involved in something that is benefiting other people.  

Violet: Why did you become the president?
Cameron: So since freshman year I knew I wanted to run for president because I really admired the president of the club that year and how involved and kind she was. Key Club has also been the only club I have been really passionate about and truly cared for. I knew it would be in good hands if it were in mine, since I have seen the club grow and progress over the course of four years and has been something that I really care for. So at one of the meetings Mrs. Foushee, who overlooks the club asked if anyone would like to run for president and I raised my hand as well as a few other people. The next month we took our picture for the yearbook and since we were all there me and the other people running gave a speech as to why we should be president. This worried me, because I am not someone who can quite adequately express all that I want to say and I tried but I felt as if it wasn’t as good as the others that gave their speeches, so I was nervous for the results. A poll was placed in the google classroom and when the announcement was made that I got president I was extremely ecstatic. Although my speech wasn’t great I think the members could see the passion I had for the club and what I wanted to do. 

Violet: What is it like being the president? What are your duties?
Cameron: As president I lead monthly meetings, seek out volunteer opportunities, think of opportunities and get in touch with other organizations and teachers to achieve them, post announcements on google classroom, write emails and letters to our principal for certain events to happen, actively volunteer, spread the word of events to people that may not be in the club that would like to help and answer questions people might have about certain events or opportunities.

Violet: Do you feel like the president should be any improvement to the club?
Cameron: I do think there could be improvements especially about spreading the word of the club in the beginning of the year for people to join. I know some people that found out about the club later on in the year that missed out on opportunities to volunteer in the fall. This year has also been hard as well because of COVID many events were canceled or didn’t happen due to it which has also been hard. The events that have occured have been great successes and I am looking forward to the spring with more events that will be outside. 

Violet: What is the best memory you had from being in this club?
Cameron: Honestly every memory from Key Club has been a positive memory like I have never had a bad experience, which is also why I love the club so much. It is filled with people who want to help others and create a great environment. My favorite memory was probably from this year when I volunteered at the New Jersey Special Olympics. It took place at Mercer County Park and was an all day event. When we arrived we got free shirts to change into with name tags and there was a stage and tents set up for the event. There was also many athletes and volunteers from all over the state. I met a few girls from a school nearby and it was really nice meeting them and hanging out with them for the day. They also provided us with free lunch from Wawa and it was also nice talking and meeting the athletes and an overall great experience.