Elizabeth Smart took the podium and the room fell silent. All eyes focused in on the blonde haired, green-eyed woman who at the age of 14 was abducted from her Utah home. She was found nine months later, 18 miles from her home.

Smart was the keynote speaker at the International Key Club Convention in Washington DC in July. RHS Key Club sponsor, Cassi Wells, along with board members juniors Elizabeth Innis and Ashlyn Salvato, and division Lieutenant Governor junior Aaron Shelby attended the week-long convention. During the week, students attended dances, and participated in break out sessions on everything from community service projects, fundraising and ice breakers. They competed in talent contests, elected Key Club International officers, and observed a professional “mind reader” at work.

“I enjoyed meeting people from other countries and hearing their ideas and input,” Salvato said. “(The conference) gave us a push for what we do and a more broad view of who we influence. It made me realize, we never know who we are impacting.”

Salvato said hearing Elizabeth Smart’s story is something she will always remember because to Salvato’s surprise Smart shared every detail of her horrifying months while in captivity.

“The room was dead quiet,” Salvato said. “No one expected to hear that story. Throughout (Smart’s) experience, she remained faithful to God. It made me realize I could press on with any problem in my life if I rely on God. We need to have integrity with everything we do.”