The Interact Club at Berlin High School had their official Inauguration/Charter Ceremony this week, Tuesday, November 20, in the Media Center/Library at Berlin High School.
Guests included members of the New Britain-Berlin and Kensington-Berlin Rotary Clubs as well as parents of Interact members. Regional leaders from Rotary International were on the agenda as well as local Rotary representatives, the club's Rotarian advisors, faculty advisor and club officers. As part of the evening’s festivities, proclamations from Mayor Adam Salina and State Representative Joe Aresimowicz were also read.
It is a notable milestone for the school, Rotary and the community to have this new service club at Berlin High. Interact is Rotary International’s service club for young people ages 12 to 18. Interact clubs are sponsored by individual Rotary clubs which provide support and guidance, but the clubs are self-governing and self-supporting.
At Berlin High School, Ms. Lisa Hatton serves as the Faculty Advisor to the Club. Officers are President, Morgan Imossi; Vice President, Gabrielle St. Jarre; Secretary, Lindsey Stefens and Treasurer, Kevin Pirruccio. Rotarian Advisors are Elaine Pavasaris of the Kensington-Berlin Rotary Club and Michele Imossi of the New Britain-Berlin Rotary Club.
Each year, Interact clubs complete at least two community service projects, one of which furthers international understanding and goodwill. Through these efforts, Interact members develop a network of friendships with local and overseas clubs and learn the importance of developing leadership skills and personal integrity; demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others; understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work; and advancing international understanding and goodwill.
In the past year, local members of Interact volunteered at Relay for Life, Race in the Park, and sponsored a Bottle Collection Fundraiser at the Berlin Fair proceeds of which supported several local charities. Members also volunteered at the Salvation Army’s “Out of the Cold Soup Kitchen” and at the Hungerford Park/New Britain Youth Museum. On an international level, the club contributed funds to Rotary’s Polio Plus campaign to end polio world-wide.
As one of the most significant and fastest-growing programs of Rotary service, with more than 10,700 clubs in 109 countries and geographical areas, Interact has become a worldwide phenomenon. Almost 200,000 young people are involved in Interact clubs which are looked upon as Junior Rotary Clubs. Rotary is the world’s first and one of the largest non-profit service organizations. The junior Interact Club derives its name from the two words: International + Action = Interact. The school and the Berlin community are proud of the participating students and congratulate them on their initiative and their desire to serve others.
