Name 

Katelyn Van Buren 

District 

Wisconsin-Upper Michigan 

Year in School / Grade 

Sophomore 

University 

University of Wisconsin-Madison 

Major(s) 

Communication Sciences and Disorders 

In 3-5 sentences, tell us about yourself. 

Hello! My name is Katelyn Van Buren, and I am a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying Communication Sciences and Disorders with plans to move on to a Master’s Program in Speech and Language Pathology. I have been a part of the Kiwanis Family since my junior year in high school, and my life has been so much better because of it! When I’m not busy with CKI work, you can find me trying to learn sign language, watching New Girl on Netflix, or attempting to not spend all of my money at Target (pre-social distancing, that is). I am so excited about this year as the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Circle K International District Governor and cannot wait to see what can be accomplished.  

What are you most looking forward to about your year as governor? 

Being such an indecisive individual, this is a hard question; can’t I be excited about everything?? If I had to choose, I would say that I am most looking forward to building bonds and relationships. As revealed in my campaign for governor, this year in WUM, we will be working on improving K-Family relations. Something that so often is taken for granted and not utilized to its full potential, I cannot wait to make connections and become more involved with the other amazing branches of our organization. I truly believe that we are stronger together and want to better foster these connections so that we can accomplish so much more.  

Favorite CKI Memory 

My favorite CKI memory would have to be attending my first international convention: CKIx ’19 in Orlando, Florida! Such an amazing and memorable opportunity, I was able to get a better sense of how we truly are an international organization. I met people from all across the country and even across the globe, and I have so many fond memories of the event. Whether volunteering with fellow CKI members, eating mac n’ cheese from a food truck, or meeting Kiwanians from all over, I made memories that will last a lifetime.  

Favorite Service Project 

My favorite service project is volunteering at Madison’s local Shelter from the Storm. Every Monday, our club members have the opportunity to go to this shelter and interact with both cats and dogs that are up for adoption, some of which came from some pretty harsh environments. It is such a fun way to get off campus for a bit, volunteer, and bond with members while having some weekly stress-relief from school responsibilities (who wouldn’t want to go play with dogs dressed in sweaters and an entire room of cats?).