Interact

WASILLA — Rotarians in the Mat-Su Valley are buzzing about their younger counterparts and their recent successes. Colony High School’s Interact Club and the Mat-Su Valley Interact Club are in the midst of community service near and far, with big plans for the future.

“They have new ideas and new ways to make it happen,” said Debbie Bushnell, Wasilla Sunrise Rotary President.

These high school versions of Rotary had an eventful series of gatherings, fundraisers, and new beginnings. With more work on the horizon, these teenage service club members aim to establish a self-sustaining wave of momentum so younger generations can take the mantle after they graduate. The Colony High and Mat-Su Interact clubs operate under the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary and Palmer Rotary clubs. This program is a part of Rotary’s international efforts, operating within 3,300 clubs across the world-according to Dan Kennedy, Past President of the Wasilla Sunrise Rotary. Kennedy said that the MSV club was very active 10 years ago but had since dwindled. He said that Michael Moore and Augustin “Gus” Montes brought life back into the club as co-presidents.

“I think we have strong leadership building here,” Moore said.

Moore was able to round up a sizable group of teens with Snapchat. He said the club is in its “revitalization stage.” MSV meets at Moore’s school, Mat-Su Career and Technical High School but is not bound to any one school, so it’s up to Moore and Montes to find teens from across the Valley. With about eight in their club and the end of his Alaskan stay ending in July, Montes wants to leave a legacy of helping people here. He wants it to start a trend so he and Moore can move to the next chapter of their life knowing they can check in on it every once in a while and know it’s doing fine.

“It will make me feel good,” Montes said.

When it comes to developing a mind for the community and “service above self,” the Rotary members of the Mat-Su Valley hold to the mindset: the earlier the better. The adult clubs support the teenage groups with mentorship and their connections and resources gathered over the years.

“It’s really helps to have a parent program,” Moore said.

Ryan Chastain started his work with CHS Interact when he was a sophomore. Now he’s a senior and president of the club. He’s looking back at all that he’s done with the club over the past few years and seeing how to keep that going with the younger classes. CHS has about 35 students in the club. Chastain said he’s confident a few of the sophomores and juniors will take leaderships roles and continue their endless outreach and “grooming” efforts.

“Most teenagers don’t think about this,” Chastain said.

He hopes to make community service a “cool trend” by establishing annual fundraising traditions based on his earlier projects. In one instance, he started a change drive that pitted all of CHS’s fourth period classrooms against each other for the most profitable jar of coins. The combined efforts of teachers and students allocated $1,100 for local non-profits and programs like the women’s shelter in Palmer. The winner got a pizza party for the whole class. He said the teachers got really into it, some even putting $100 bills in the jar. All the classrooms threw themselves into the challenge.

“It was awesome to see the school come together,” Chastain said.

Janet Kennedy, Wasilla Sunrise Rotary President Elect said these students are learning the Rotary creed: “service above self” while learning to be leaders in their community. She said the clubs have successfully integrated into the community and made a real impact on places abroad. After seeing a recent fundraising campaign reach South America, she has high hopes for what the teens have in store next.

“Including them is so much fun,” said Brenda Shelden, president of Palmer Rotary.