It started off as not only a desire to serve their community, but to connect people throughout our school with a common goal of building a better future. Joan Williams and Neeve Farrell, two sophomores, were inspired to start the Interact Club at CLHS during their freshman year of high school, when they had already experienced countless examples of people of all backgrounds coming together to support one another in times of need. When asked what finally made them make the decision to start the club, they bring up local instances with great impacts such as the many hurricanes that have struck Lee County in the past few years.
The Interact Club is linked to the local Rotary, as a few club members have family in the organization. Interact was invited to the Rotary’s beach cleanup where they were given the chance to speak to Rotary members and learn about the changes they make in our local community. Kaelin Jackson, a key member of Interact, shares that her participation in the cleanup “helped grow relationships with others in the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary and it felt amazing to help out in the community. Cleaning up the beach felt as if I was paying back nature for the beauty it already gives us through its beaches.” The Interact Club is already planning future events to give more people the opportunity to experience that fulfilled feeling, while additionally earning some volunteer hours.
In their most recent meeting, the Interact Club brought in Maria Espinoza. Mr. Jackson, another Rotary member, describes Ms. Espinoza as someone who “wears many different hats in Rotary.” She taught CLHS students about how their organization helps people locally and how that also translates nationally. She provided students with a plethora of suggestions on where and how they can volunteer. Students involved in Interact have only been a part of this club for a few weeks, but are already learning valuable information that will last a lifetime from credited individuals.
Williams and Farrell want Panthers to know that joining Interact is a great way to stay involved in our school and community. Their club is about making long lasting changes and being a part of something that is bigger than yourself. They meet every other Friday in Ms. Lessinger’s classroom after school until 2:45 p.m. and are welcoming to anyone with an interest in making a difference. If you are curious and want to keep up with them, you can attend a meeting and follow their Instagram at @clhsinteractclub.
