WHS Interact Club Prepares for New Year

More than 260 Washington High School Interact students met on August 22 to make plans for the coming academic year.  A number of members could not attend the first meeting, because they had other commitments for the afternoon.  Anarosa Huicochea and Gerson Aristondo, who share the presidential responsibilities, presided over the meeting.  Ana and Gerson also are Interact Council assistant governors for District 5490.

 

 

The two students reviewed last year’s activities that included 80 community service projects and raising $1,000 for the “Million Meals” project.  The club hosted the first meal packing session at the school.   In addition, the students raised $1,000 for Polio Plus.  For the coming year, Gerson stated, “I want to help Interact complete 90 volunteer activities!”  Sun City Rotarian and PHF(2) Jill Green, faculty advisor of the Interact Club, has been the guiding force for the Interact Club for 15 years.  She listed more than 30 projects for the fall, which included community gardening, reading to young students, packing school necessities for young people overseas,  packing sandwiches and preparing and serving hot meals for needy people at a homeless shelter.

 

Tami Strege, school principal and honorary member of the Sun City Rotary Club, introduced the additional faculty support committee and the special guests from the sponsoring Sun City Rotary Club.  Tami, who has been involved with the Interact Club since its inception, explained why she has been involved closely with the students.  “They are selfless, service-oriented teenagers who commit to investing in our community with their actions and attitudes every single day.  It is a privilege to interact with them.”

 

 

A special guest was Sarah Stevenson, faculty advisor of the new Challenger Middle School Interact Club in Glendale.

 

The two highlights of the meeting captured the full attention of everyone in the room.  The first highlight was when PHF Bob Solis. Sun City Club member and “Service Above Self” recipient, presented Jill Green the certificate from the RI president for the Interact Club’s 15 years of strong community service.

 

The second important highlight came when past Interact Club President, Mark A. Cardenas, was made an honorary member of the Sun City Rotary Club.  PHF Hollie Green, Sun City Club president, made the presentation along with Tami Strege.

 

Since being graduated from WHS, Mark went on to serve the country in Afghanistan and currently is an elected member of the Arizona State Legislature.

 

The final honor of the meeting was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellowship to Mark Cardenas.  During the presentation, PDG Jim Green said that Mark developed his leadership skills as an Interact Club President, and he continued to hone his skills to become a respected member of the Arizona State Legislature.  Jim continued with, “Mark is the essence of Rotary at work in our community.”  As he accepted the PHF pin, Mark stated. “It’s and incredible honor to be included with some of the finest Americans.  I am sincerely grateful to become a Paul Harris Fellow and look forward to continuing my service to Arizona.”