December Events
Los Alamitos HS
Holiday Giving Drive with our local Rotary, math department, and local community, and the Seal Beach Parade with 8 volunteers!
- Bella Kim, President
Capo Valley Christian HS
We contributed to Operation Holiday Helper at the Boys and Girls club in San Juan Capistrano. We collaborated with DHHS Interact and SJHHS Interact as well as Boys and Girls club faculty, Rotarians, and many volunteers. From the Capistrano Valley Christian Interact club we had 5 members attend.
- Bria Burton, President
San Juan Hills HS
On December 14, we volunteered at the local Boys and Girls Club for a Christmas event. We helped gift-wrap presents for the children and assisted them in choosing their gifts. The Dana Hills, Capo Valley Christian, and Aliso Niguel High School Interacts also participated. Our club had 30 members present to help out. While there weren't exact numbers for the children or gifts, there were a considerable number of kids, nearly filling the entire room.
On December 29th, we went to Pasadena to help decorate the Rotary float with beautiful flowers for the annual Rose Parade. Unfortunately, we can only take 20 of our members, even though many others are eager to join us but can't this time. We gathered at our Rotary's scout hut, then drove up together. It’s a very enjoyable event that everyone looks forward to each year, and it has become a cherished tradition for us.
- Guadalupe Silva, President
December Events
n Union HS
20+ members collaborated with Kaboom Playground Build to build a play ground in 1 day at the Fullerton BGC Teen Center. We volunteered for 7 hours.
- Samantha Saldana, President
La Quinta HS
5 to 10 Interactors volunteered at OC Autism Breakfast. We count it as a huge success for our Interact!
- Amber Le, Vice President
Brea-Olinda HS
During our December meeting we made cards for senior citizens. Members could come in during lunch to make cards and enjoy some cookies.
- Madison Siemsen, President
Aliso Niguel HS
Volunteered with the Boys and Girls club to wrap presents for kids! Collaborated with CVCHS, DHHS, and SJHHS!
- Holly Kim, President
December Events
Fullerton Union HS
Esperanza HS
20+ members collaborated with Kaboom Playground Build to build a play ground in 1 day at the Fullerton BGC Teen Center. We volunteered for 7 hours.
- Samantha Saldana, President
We had the Ruby Drive Elementary Gift Drive (annual event) in collaboration with Esperanza High School ASB. We donated 6 gifts (from 5 Interactors) to a 2nd grade class. 2 Interactors attended to hand out the gifts and help out in the classroom. We also made Care Cards (every other meeting). Additionally, we had a collaboration with NEGU, where 30 Interactors made cards to support kids fighting cancer. 38 AVID students also made cards separate of a meeting (provided materials & instructions). Lastly, we had Ronald McDonald House Pop Tabs (every meeting). 3 Interactors donated pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House to help the fund the facilities helping families with hospitalized children
- Samantha Yokote, President
Avalon HS
We had shop Catalina where we sold baked goods, coffee, and blankets. We had a booth for people to donate things for the family shelter. With the shop Catalina money we were fortunate enough to take 12 Interactors to make Christmas special for some families. We bought toys and clothes for them, and unwrapped the toys and played with the kids and painted ornaments and made bracelets. We bought a grill for the shelter and had a successful day.
- Brandon Oceguera
Rose Parade
Spotlight
Spotlight
One individual we are eager to spotlight this month is Ever Burns. A junior at Capo Valley HS and a Vice Volunteer Coordinator in their Interact, she coordinates communication with club members regarding upcoming events, and records attendance and club volunteering hours. Ever was initially attracted to Interact as it was a great extracurricular to showcase her dedication and love of service to colleges. As she continued participating in Interact, she was delighted by all of the opportunities to connect with her community. For example, one of Ever’s favorite events is the annual Thanksgiving senior luncheon that Capo Valley and Dana Hills co-host, cooking and serving lunch and dinner to over 200 senior citizens. She continues to express her love of service through various projects. One upcoming project is her Interact’s taekwondo outfit collecting project, where they are collecting (gently) used taekwondo outfits to donate to children in Mexico. As the new year begins, Ever hopes to further improve on her public speaking, which, while she has come a long way from her beginnings at RYLA, “ can always be improved as time goes on, ” she admits. She is also excited to continue collaborating with other clubs and service organizations, expanding beyond other Interacts to organizations such as FAM.
Spotlight
Spotlight
Rotarian. 2024 Yorba Linda Citizen of the Year. VP of Yorba Linda “Food for Families”. Member of the Yorba Linda Sunrise Rotary Youth Service Board. All of these titles belong to Lainie Nicholson, who we are honored to spotlight. Lainie came to know of Rotary through another service effort, Food for Families. Fellow volunteers and Rotarians encouraged her to join. Since then, Lainie has enjoyed several volunteering opportunities, such as the Thanksgiving Ronald McDonald House initiative, cooking and serving food to families residing there. Further from home, in Guatemala, club-raised funds provided for textbooks for young kids. “There were about a thousand people there, lined up, waiting…everyone was so excited. You know, no one here would get excited like that over textbooks,” she reminisced. Lainie hopes to contribute to more education efforts in Guatemala long-term. Right now, she is sponsoring the education of a young lady in Guatemala; in 7th grade, she is on track to graduate in five years. Lainie also enjoys working with high schoolers, as evidenced by her position on the club’s Youth Service Board. Her forays into service and leadership have not always been easy, though. As a leader in the management of the Island Auction Co., she had to learn how to handle frequent rejections. But, as she stayed on, she learned to take it with grace and keep putting her best foot forward. As we closed off our interview, I asked Lainie what advice she would have for a prospective Interactor. “Ooh…that’s a tough one, ” she chuckled, tilting her head. “I suppose, don’t volunteer just to volunteer. Volunteer because you want to make a change.”
North Area’s Even
North Area Assistant Governor and Fullerton Interact president Samantha Saldana is collaborating with fellow Fullerton Rotarian Lana Erlanson and Radiant Futures to bring clothing donations to victims of domestic violence during the entire month of January. They are asking for YOUR help in fulfilling this mission! For more info, read on :) and PLEASE share these flyers with your Interactors or on your social media. Even though this is a North Area event, ANYONE can contribute!
New Year’s Resolutions
To grow and maintain an impact in our community throughout the coming year.
- Bria Burton, Capo Valley Christian HS
Having a service project every month
- Samantha Saldana, Fullerton Union HS
more board participation! Upping members and getting - Bella Kim, Los Alamitos HS
New Year’s Resolutions
Get more involved with our local Senior Care/Support centers + work with Heifer International to donate a Heifer/send a girl to school
- Isabella Lugoj, Foothill HS
One of my New Year’s resolutions for our club is to increase engagement from the Freshmen and inspire them to continue volunteering with us.
- Guadalupe Silva, San Juan Hills HS
To have at least two service events each month and do more local events people can come too. Also have fundraisers for our club.
- Madison Siemsen, Brea-Olinda HS
New Year’s Resolutions
eract to be with other
I want to improve volunteer attendance at events and becoming more involved at our school itself.
- Laia Owens, Capo Valley HS
I hope to encourage my club members to spread the news of the great accomplishments of our club. Encourage others to join and tell them how we’ve helped our communities but also how doing so has helped us grow individually. I hope more people go to RYLA and make it the best experience ever for everyone.
- Brandon Oceguera
Continue promoting service
above self!
- Samantha Yokote, Esperanza HS
Reminders
RYLA - Applications are now open! Go to ryla5320.org to register; the 2025 camp dates are April 6th-13th! If you have any questions, reach out to your former TB/JC, Faciltator, or local Rotary Club for assistance!
Mental Health Walk - Our District-wide Mental Health walks will be held in May (3rd or 10th). There will be at least one walk per area, overseen by the local Rotary clubs. If your Interact is interested in participating, please reach out to your Assistant Governor (or contact Vi for assistance).
Scholarships - SENIORS! This is a fantastic time to start asking your local Rotary or high school counselor about Rotary-related scholarships! Make sure to apply ASAP!
