The Interact Club has had a long-lasting tradition at Valley. Affiliated with the local Rotary Club, District 7980, Interact's members have the chance to reach out beyond the walls of high school through the club. The main goals of the club are to promote leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrate helpfulness and respect for others, understand the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advance international understanding and goodwill.

The club has run various successful fundraisers and philanthropic endeavors. Most recently was the coat drive in which more than 100 used coats were donated and sent to St. Vincent de Paul, a social services organization in Middletown. Interact has also become involved with Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and Haiti Relief. Students have attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Association Conference from Nov. 4 to 6 at which they learned qualities of a leader and how to improve their clubs.

Mary Hambor, Interact teacher advisor, is proud of her students' efforts toward helping others. She relies on the three co-presidents, Allyson Clark, Emily Frese, and Elsbeth Kane, all juniors, to effectively manage and promote the club.

"I'm always looking for project ideas when I go places and constantly looking for students that would be interested in volunteering for different organizations, even if they aren't club members," says Clark.

These students are passionate about volunteering and constantly brainstorm new and creative ideas for fundraising opportunities. Thus far, the club has collected a total of 40 members who have joined for the prospect of making a difference in something about which they are concerned.

Interact is more than an activity put on a college résumé; it is a constant reminder that students are committed to helping others. They work for the betterment of the community and all its residents. The club "opens so many doors," says Clark, from the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) to the community service, students benefit from involvement in Interact.

Emma Meeks, a senior, is interning at the Valley Courier as part of the district's School-to-Career program. Her columns provide an insider's view of life at Valley Regional High School.