While the holiday season is a popular time for volunteering, organizations also provide people of all ages with opportunities to volunteer all year long. Like Rotary International, for example.
At the Dec. 17 meeting of the Rotary Club of Mercer Island, a group from Mercer Island High School (MIHS) students were introduced as members of the school’s Interact Club.
Sponsored by local Rotary clubs, Interact gives students opportunities to volunteer, help their community, build skills, practice leadership, network, and make friends. It’s like Rotary International for students and there are more than 20,000 Interact Clubs globally, all working with young people ages 12-18.
The MIHS club’s president, senior Peyton Rapo, said all students should consider joining the club for its fun and benefits. He has been a member of the club for three years now.
“I really enjoy hanging out with my friends and being able to help out the community,” Rapo said.
He said the club helps him be a leader, allows him to network and meet new people, and also sets him up for college, where he plans to continue to work with Rotary. He’s not sure where he will attend college yet, but said he plans to study computer science.
At the Dec. 17 Rotary Club meeting, four of the students, including Rapo, spoke about their volunteering activities this school year.
Rapo said this year’s events include volunteering for Northwest Harvest, working an EarthCorps event at Island Crest Park, helping out at the Mercer Island Walk For Peace, bell ringing with Rotary members for the Salvation Army, and volunteering at a University of Washington Dawg Dash and at a Jingle Bell Run. Soon they will be involved with a Rotary half marathon event, a hot chocolate run, and more volunteering through Northwest Harvest, EarthCorps and other local opportunities.
Any student is welcome to join the club. They have about 15 regular members who meet on a weekly basis.
Rapo said it was by the recommendation of a friend that he first joined, and he has loved it ever since. His favorite event this year has been working with EarthCorps.
“If you want to volunteer and help the community, but also do it with your friends, Interact is the perfect place to do that,” Rapo said.
Susan Beals, a Mercer Island Rotary Club member and the Interact Chair for Rotary District 5030, said the mission of Interact is to support students and the greater community.
“Our goals are to support high school students in their desire to help others in need within our community and throughout the world. Through service activities, Interactors learn the importance of developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, and advancing international understanding and goodwill,” she said.
She explained that Rotary District 5030 has 46 local Rotary Clubs and currently sponsors 22 Interact Clubs, including MIHS Interact that is sponsored by Mercer Island Rotary. Mark Wischman is the Rotary Club liaison who works with the Interact students, acting as a mentor and providing them with support.
District 5030 also sponsors several Rotaract Clubs, which serve young adults age 18 to 30.
The Mercer Island Rotary club also is interested in starting an Interact club at Mercer Island Middle School.
Beals said there are two main guiding principles for the Interact students. The first is “Service Above Self.” The second is called “The Four Way Test” and has the students ask themselves four questions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
More information about service organization Rotary International, and the local Mercer Island Rotary Club, can be found online at http://www.mirotary.org/.
Mercer Island High School Interact club members presented at the Dec. 17 meeting of the Rotary Club of Mercer Island. From left: club president Peyton Rapo, treasurer Mathis Destouches, Alex Castleman and Aaron Kann. Courtesy photo.
