Journal-World carrier honored for 12 years of service

Plenty of high school students get involved in extracurricular activities. Some of them do that and still manage to maintain superior grades.

But not many of them top that off by starting their school day at 4:30 in the morning, delivering newspapers to Lawrence Journal-World subscribers.

Christa “Mitzi” Keel is an exception. The Lawrence High School senior has been a Journal-World carrier for 12 years, tossing papers along Barker Avenue and Rhode Island Street since 1990, when she was 5 years old.

For her dedication, Keel received the Journal-World Scholarship at Tuesday’s Senior Recognition Ceremony.

“If I had 100 of her, my job would be much easier,” said Journal-World circulation manager Joe Lewis, who presented the award to Keel.

Keel has been involved in Key Club, German Club, marching band, symphonic band and choir at LHS. She’s also been an active Girl Scout.

Keel, who plays the clarinet, plans to major in music education at Kansas University and is looking forward to getting a little more sleep once she ends her paper-delivery job and begins college.

“It will be nice to sleep in for the first time in a long time,” she said.