Golden Key Award recognizes Fairview graduate who leads by example

When Fairview High School's first graduating class crossed the stage in 1931, one senior received a special honor recognizing scholarship, service, and character - the Golden Key Award.

More than 90 years later, this long-standing tradition continues for a graduating senior who exemplifies those same qualities. This year, the honor was awarded to Class of 2026 graduate Maura Gillis.

For Gillis, the recognition reflects years of leadership, service, and involvement throughout the school and community. She served as vice president of her class, participated in the National Honor Society and Key Club, competed in cross-country and track and field, and performed in the orchestra. 

Receiving the Golden Key Award was an unexpected honor for Gillis.

"I'm surrounded with so many kids who are also great leaders and do a lot of service and give back to their class," Gillis said. "I think there are so many students in my class who are so deserving of this award as well. So it was definitely a shock, but I'm so grateful to celebrate with all those kids that were in front of me."

In June, Gillis graduated Summa Cum Laude and also earned an Honors Diploma from FHS. This fall, she will attend The Ohio State University to study communications with a focus on public relations, while exploring additional studies in public affairs.

"I think it's important to remember that it's not just leadership in yourself. You should also make a point to bring up the leadership in your whole class... It's not just how to make yourself a better leader, but it's also how to make your peers around you better leaders."

Gillis says her interest in leadership and helping people developed at Fairview High School.

"I think I've always been a people person, and I love leadership positions," she said. "I really found my love of leadership through student council. Through communications, I feel like it's a versatile major where I can use my leadership skills and build on them."

She credits the school’s smaller size with giving her opportunities to build relationships and become involved in ways that might not have been possible elsewhere.

"I think that the size of Fairview definitely helped leadership-wise because I knew all the students," Gillis said. "Positions like vice president of the class helped me get to know students even better and therefore lead events and stuff like that that are student-led.”

Outside the classroom, Gillis found meaningful opportunities to serve others through service organizations at FHS. She volunteered at events such as Breakfast with Santa, volunteered with the Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, and mentored students outside of school through House of Champions.

Those experiences changed the way she views service.

"I took away that really doing those different things wasn't much of my time, but it showed me how valuable my time in helping others is," Gillis said. "The fact that we could help them with their reading and their math problems and stuff like that, and how much little of my time could be a big impact on their day, it was really great to see that."

The Golden Key recipient is nominated and selected by the teachers and staff at FHS. A Golden Key plaque was awarded to Gills at commencement, and a duplicate plaque is permanently displayed in the school.

Fairview High School Principal Chris Vicha said Gillis embodies the qualities the award is intended to recognize.

"Maura is truly deserving of this honor, and we are proud to recognize her as this year's recipient," he said. "We are excited to see all that she accomplishes in the future and know she will continue to represent Fairview High School with pride, integrity, and excellence."

 

During commencement, Gillis said one of the moments that stood out most was looking around at classmates she had grown up with since elementary school.

"It was super surreal," she said. "I looked around at all these kids that I've been going to school with my whole life. Although we might have had different walks of high school, we're all in the same place, wearing the same robe and having to celebrate together."

As she looks ahead to college, Gillis hopes younger students take advantage of the opportunities available to them. She encourages students to get involved, step outside their comfort zones, and remember that leadership is about helping others succeed as well.

"I think it's always important to go out and do it," she said. "I think it's important to remember that it's not just leadership in yourself. You should also make a point to bring up the leadership in your whole class... It's not just how to make yourself a better leader, but it's also how to make your peers around you better leaders."

Photo at top: Maura Gills, center, receives the 2026 Golden Key Award from FHS Principal Chris Vicha. Golden Key recipient from the Class of 2025, Nicole Giang, is at left. Photo courtesy of Cavanaugh Photography.