Overseeing the operations of 69 groups and almost 2,800 students across a three-state area can hardly be called an extra-curricular activity.

But that's what it is for Austin High School junior Lindsey Bowman, who was elected Sunday by Key Club members as the Minn-Dak District Governor.

"I'm thrilled," she said. "I'm really excited. All season long I've been getting ready for it."

The Minn-Dak District covers Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota. Throughout that area, Bowman will be responsible for organizing district-wide projects, training other officers, attending meetings and acting as a liaison between the International committee and group members.

She said her experience as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 8, one of 10 in Minnesota, has prepared her for taking over the responsibilities.

"Being a Lieutenant Governor, I was like, 'Yeah, I'm ready for a step up,'" she said. "Some things had been repeating already."

"I think she'll do good," Key Club School Advisor Colleen Owens said. "She has the combination of energy and responsibility that works well in a position like this."

Key Club, a public service group for high school students, has four themes for activities, one for each season. The current district activity is the Trick or Treat for UNICEF (the United Nations Children's Fund), held each fall. Other seasons, individual clubs are responsible for their own activities. As Governor, Bowman hopes groups can do more as a district.

"I'd like to see something like (the trick or treat project) for each season district-wide," she said. "To make something district-wide would be a little more significant."

Sophomore Kelsey Feragen was also elected to high office. She has taken over Bowman's former position as Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Division 8.

Having two high ranking officers is pretty impressive for a club that didn't even exist two years ago.

"The Key Club had frittered away to nothing until we started it up last fall (2001)," Owens said. "We had no idea what we were doing that year."

The club now has 22 paying members plus non-paying students that come to the meetings, almost double from last year.

Owens said Bowman has been a big part of the Key Club's success.

"She's creative. She's always coming up with new ideas," Owens said. "It's a ritual at our morning meetings, 'OK, here's a new Bowman idea.'"

Matt Merritt can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at :mailto:matt.merritt@austindailyherald.com