Rochester High School Rotary Interact Club: A Year of Service and Impact
The Rochester High School Rotary Interact Club had an outstanding 2025–2026 school year, marked by strong participation, meaningful service projects, and a growing commitment to community engagement. With approximately 70 members and consistent meeting attendance of 20–30 students, the club demonstrated both growth and enthusiasm in fulfilling its mission of service above self.
Interact members met twice monthly, with a focus on active involvement and accountability. Each student was encouraged to earn volunteer points by participating in service opportunities, while club officers maintained organization through regular communication and tracking of attendance and engagement. This structure helped foster a sense of responsibility and connection among members.
Throughout the year, the club aligned its activities with Rotary’s global themes, creating projects that were both educational and impactful. In September, members organized a successful Book Drive in support of literacy, collecting and distributing books to restock local mini libraries. Another highlight was Purple Pinky Day, which raised awareness about global polio eradication efforts. Students participated by symbolically painting their pinkies purple, reflecting the marking used in vaccination campaigns worldwide.
The club also demonstrated appreciation and compassion through projects like Veterans Day card-making, where students created messages of gratitude for deployed troops. In February, members celebrated Peace and Conflict Prevention Month by designing “Peace Hands,” sharing ideas on how to promote kindness and understanding within their school community.
A significant portion of the club’s success came from student-led senior projects. These initiatives showcased leadership, creativity, and a deep commitment to service and caring. Projects included assembling and delivering meal kits for local families, organizing a hygiene drive for a Pontiac homeless shelter, and creating 1,000 inspirational pins to spread positivity throughout the school. Other efforts focused on supporting fellow students, such as SAT encouragement notes and banners, which helped reduce stress and build confidence during testing periods.
Additionally, members worked to strengthen school culture through kindness initiatives. Simple acts, like leaving encouraging notes in shared spaces or organizing teacher appreciation cards, had a meaningful impact on morale and fostered a more supportive environment.
Looking ahead, the Interact Club has several projects still in progress, including a Mother’s Day card initiative, fertility awareness outreach, and a back-to-school supply drive benefiting local students in need. These upcoming efforts reflect the club’s continued dedication to education, service, and community well-being.
Reflecting on the year, members recognized significant growth not only in participation but also in the depth of their impact. Many service activities—such as the Book Drive, Purple Pinky Day, and shelter drives—have become valued traditions within the school community.
As the club looks toward next year, goals include expanding membership across all grade levels, increasing fundraising efforts, promoting leadership programs earlier, and improving organization through shared planning tools. With a strong foundation and a passionate group of student leaders, the Rochester High School Rotary Interact Club is well-positioned to continue making a difference—one project, and one act of kindness, at a time.
Alright, let’s just say it… You were missed! 💁♀️ But don’t worry, we still managed to pull off a pretty fabulous meeting in your absence. We had a strong showing with 60 attendees, including 26 energetic members of the Rochester High School Interact Club—and yes, they brought their A-game—along with their amazing advisor, Rotarian Angela Sambanis-Olstyn. Basically, the room had youth, charm, and purpose… You would’ve loved it.
The Interactors held one of their fundraising projects at the meeting by running a bake sale. There were lots of goodies available, and Rotarians were encouraged to pull out their wallets and pay up for a good cause.