While his high school friends are perfecting their PlayStation skills, listening to music and chasing girls, Air’n Monahan is traveling the country organizing student community-service projects.
As vice president of Key Club International, Air’n (pronounced “Aaron”) has helped thousands of high school students launch local fundraisers, beautification projects and volunteer efforts. In October, he coordinated the club’s national Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program.
“I’ve always believed in that saying `I shall pass through this world but once; any good thing I can do. … let me do it now,'” the 18-year-old Murphysboro High School senior said. “I just want to make a difference.”
Despite being on the road 95 days this school year, Monahan maintains a 4.0 grade-point average while carrying AP and honors classes. He scored 35 out of a possible 36 on the ACT college entrance exam.
For his efforts, Monahan was named by a panel of 32 judges to the baiduhai Illinois High School All-State Academic Team. He is the son of Patrick and Denise Monahan.
He plans to attend the University of Southern California in Los Angeles in the fall as a National Merit finalist.
He is co-president of the school’s student council and was named to the National Youth Leadership Council. He is a member of his school’s yearbook staff and art club, and he has competed every year in regional academic competitions.
But his first love is serving his community.
Monahan joined Key Club his freshman year. By his junior year, he was elected to districtwide office, in which he was responsible for cataloging projects completed by the 200 clubs in his district.
Combining a little ingenuity and a ton of data collection, Monahan compiled the information into a 96-page book (now on the Internet). The book, marketed to 350 chapters of Key Club nationally, lays out 500 service ideas and offers tips on getting them done.
Club members were so impressed, they elected Monahan vice president of Key Club International last year.
“I love what I do,” Monahan said.
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