For 20 years, Judge Ed Nicholas has helped inspire the leaders of tomorrow WORDS: Lela Rast Hartsaw PICTURES: Whitney Patton The students sitting at desks in our elementary schools today are the leaders of tomorrow. No one sees that more clearly than the Honorable Ed Nicholas, former president and long-time active member of the Bradenton Kiwanis. Judge Nicholas, for the past 20 years, has been involved with the Kiwanis K-Kids Club in Manatee County. Along with dedicated advisors at a handful of local elementary schools, he has watched proudly as students become inspired in K-Kids, move on to Builder’s Club in middle school, and then Key Club in high school. One example Judge Nicholas likes to share is the story of a young man who was voted president of his Miller Elementary K-Kids Club, then went on to become president of the Manatee High Key Club, before being elected student body president at the University of Florida. How does being involved in K-Kids help inspire and prepare students for community service and leadership roles? The answer can be found just by reading the K-Kids Pledge: As a K-Kid, I promise to serve my neighborhood and my school. I will show respect for the environment and I will try to make the world a better place to live. K-Kids is the Kiwanis sponsored service club for elementary students. The idea, according to Judge Nicholas, is “to instill in grade school students the virtue - and fun - of service to others, giving back to their communities, and their world.” The 20����-���� K-Kids Club at Braden River Elementary is the ��rst ever for that school. At their induction ceremony, imagine the kids watching the majestic ��gure of Circuit Court Judge Nicholas
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