Many in our community are aware of the good works our Rotary Clubs do throughout the Keys. My particular club in Marathon routinely donates $45,000+ in scholarships every year, and we help in many worthwhile causes and fundraising efforts.
Mention the words “Interact Club” to people, and you are more likely to get a puzzled look. The Marathon High School Interact Club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Marathon, and their members volunteer their time and efforts to make our community a better place. These young people work to make things better, and are living testimony to the Rotary and Interact motto of “Service Above Self.”
Interact clubs bring together young people ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. Interact members find out how serious leadership can be seriously fun. As the Interact website states: “Take action, build international understanding, and make new friends around the world.” Currently, there are nearly 15,000 Interact Clubs with more than 340,000 members spread over 145 nations. Interact clubs organize at least two projects every year, one that helps their school or community and one that promotes international understanding.
Marathon Interact Club President Leo Volchek has led the club for two years, having been recruited into the club by Kayleigh Reed during Leo’s sophomore year. Kayleigh was instrumental in bringing the club back to life at Marathon High School — like many, she found that it’s rewarding to volunteer with one’s fellow students while earning those valuable community service points needed for graduation.
Leo related that the club grew organically after being restarted about four years ago. They started bringing friends to their initial Coco Plum Beach cleanups, and word spread. Now, Leo says, all the club’s members “are best buds” and are consistent in their attendance and volunteer spirit.
Currently 30 members strong, the Interact Club meets during lunch hour at the school. That’s where they plan their ongoing community service projects. Their big one has been their regular Coco Plum Beach cleanups. There’s one this Saturday at Coco Plum Beach starting at 10:15 a.m. for anyone who would like to assist — everyone is welcome, Leo says.
The rest of Leo’s officers in the club are vice president Dante Senmartin, secretary Joseph Cabrera, and treasurer Rylan Chapa. All 30 members are active participants in club activities and projects, and are ably assisted by their faculty adviser, Ms. Michelle James. They are brainstorming on their next big service project — they have some ideas at this point, and we here at the Weekly will certainly help spread the message to the community.
They plan on presenting their ideas to the next Interact District Conference. Leo is part of the Governor’s Board that plans the conference, and our local club is well-represented in the District. I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!
In the meantime … don’t forget about the Coco Plum cleanup this Saturday at 10:15. Volunteers are welcome. It’s really a nice stroll along the city’s beautiful Coco Plum Beach, picking up trash and refuse along the way. Having done one of these cleanups myself, I can attest that these events truly make a difference. The beach is much cleaner (and safer) as a result of the efforts of Marathon High School Interact Club members. They deserve the community’s thanks, as well as whatever we can do to help them in their future efforts.
Also, Leo asked me to spread the word that the Interact Club is able to assist in other areas of community service. If it’s a worthwhile cause, they’re more than happy to help. At our recent wedding fundraiser for Rotary and Presents In Paradise, Interact Club members helped the big reception run smoothly, from setup to cleanup and many things in between. Our local Interact Club is a great group of young adults, and these students are the leaders of tomorrow.
Thank you to our Marathon High School Interact Club for doing a great job in helping make our community a better place.
– Catch John Mondays at Boondocks, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Key Colony Inn, and Thursdays at Sparky’s Landing. www.johnbartus.com
