Interact Club Feature
Developing leadership skills, understanding the importance of responsibility and promoting international awareness are just some of the opportunities a member of Urbana High School’s Interact Club would benefit from. For over six years now, UHS’s Interact Club have tirelessly served and made a difference in developing local and international service projects with the help of its sponsor, The Urbana Rotary Club.
The club gives students 14-18 years of age a chance to make new friends, improve the community, develop leadership skills, and most importantly, make a difference in the world.
“One new goal for the club is to do more collaboration with other Interact Clubs in the area surrounding Urbana,” said UHS Senior and Interact Club president, Rita Haber. “Being the president of Interact created opportunities for me to work with our community and made me realize the importance of thinking locally in terms of volunteer work.”
So far this year, the club has served its purpose locally and around UHS. They have been actively participating in whatever events the school has hosted and outside events as well.
“The Interact Club has done quite a few activities this year,” says Interact Club’s advisor, Grace Mitchell. “During the holidays, they donated three baskets to three families who needed it, the members also adopted families during the winter break; families of students who go to UHS that are homeless.” The club was also involved with Tailgate, in which they welcomed new members and encouraged students to participate.
The major event that the Interact Club hosted this year is the sixth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Day of Service to Our Community Program, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. This took place at the Ikenberry Commons on January 17.
UHS’s Interact Club helped plan and run the event; they were also the one who planned the theme, “Remembering the Dreamer”. The students worked with various agencies like the American Red Cross, Vineyard Food Pantry, and many others, to participate in a number of service projects around the community.
Mitchell, who is retiring this year, has been the first advisor and has since then managed the club for the last six years. She has quite a few reasons why she likes her role as the club’s advisor.
“I’m a community oriented person,” says Mitchell. “I used to be a social worker here in UHS that’s why I can better understand what it’s like to reach out in community and help others.”
“Working with Grace Mitchell, the club’s adviser, has also been great,” says Haber. “Ms. Mitchell is one of the most inspirational people I have met, and she has a very kind and generous spirit.”
All in all, the Interact Club does not only specialize in getting students involve in the community, but it also provides a lasting impression to the young generation, that they are capable of contributing and making a change on some of the flaws that the society possesses.
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