March Message
Hello everyone!
Going into the month of March, we are looking forward to seeing what will happen in the next couple of months left in the school year. This Newsletter will include a recap of February events, Spotlights, and important reminders!
If you know anyone or any club who you believe deserves a spotlight, feel free to email Brianna Carbajal (briannacarbajal.25@gmail.com) the Newsletter Coordinator, so they can be included in a future Newsletter. This also applies to projects and events. Thank you for reading!
Best Wishes, Newsletter Team
International Project
Hi everyone! If you haven’t heard, we have a new international project! We are raising funds to provide preventative medicine to children suffering from schistosomiasis, a disease that previously did not have a pediatric cure. But now, with Rotarian global scientist Jim Mulry’s aid, a dose has been developed and manufactured, coming out to the low cost of $2 per dose. We are hoping that every Interact can contribute in some way, shape or form. “A booth for the project in the International House of Friendship at the Rotary International Convention in Calgary is being secured...[and] Interactors will be needed to help man that booth at the RI Convention.”. Interactors will also get the chance to serve on a board dedicated to managing the funds that come in to support this cause. Please start brainstorming fundraiser ideas, and consider collaborating with each other!
February Events
Fundraised 550 dollars to the Borgen Project, a non-profit that lobbies Congress to co-sponsor legislation that brings more aid to third world countries.
At Surf City Marathon, 16 of us came together to assist runners in getting their bib numbers for their races.
- Samantha Saldana, Fullerton President
Police Appreciation Cards and Valentine’s Day Cards
- Chandrika Bakshi, Valencia President
We’re doing a Valentines get together this month along with some activities for collaborations with other clubs.
- Ricardo Resendiz, Jordan President
Noodles for Nonprofit: collab with Rotary of Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Cypress; members sell tickets to a spaghetti dinner for $7, all proceeds back to LAHS Interact
- Bella Kim, Los Alamitos President
Currently setting up for a badminton tournament at our school; ~80 players are expected. It will go from February to March.
- Amber Le, La Quinta Vice President
Upcoming Events
March 8: Noodles for Nonprofit dinner at Cypress Senior Center
March 24-28: Week of Hope
Lunch events, including silent auction @ the teacher's lounge. Members asking local businesses to donate items/services. Proceeds go toward Interact Global Schisto Project
March 27: Interact Talent Show (open to all LAHS students. Winners receive receive free prom tickets or cash value)
- Bella Kim, Los Alamitos President
34th Annual Jim Thomson Track and Field City Championships: We serve food to athletes and set up the track for their track meet.
Fullerton Fishing Day: we volunteers help with check-in, arts and crafts, bait booths, line control, waiver collections, and raffles.
- Samantha Saldana, Fullerton President
In the future we ’ re planning for Pico which is a big dance event and we ’ re in charge of the food!
- Ricardo Resendiz, Jordan President
Upcoming Events
We’re hoping to collaborate with Newport Harbor High School’s Interact Club to put on the Central Lower area Mental Health Walk on May 3rd. We’re also planning to compete against each other, incorporating elements of the Battle of the Bay, which is a longstanding tradition for our rival schools. By paying homage to this tradition during such a meaningful day, we hope that our Interacts can develop more of a relationship with one another while also providing an opportunity for the community to mesh and bonds to form.
- Summer Perry, Corona del Mar President
I hope to get my club more involved Via the Ronald McDonald house again, because it was super fun the last time we did!
- Lauren Gei, El Dorado President
Mental Health Walk
Hi all! Our Mental Health Walks are going to be in May, and we just wanted to give a quick shout-out to clubs/areas that have confirmed that they are hosting walks so you can see who to reach out to and where walks haven’t been planned yet. If you ’ re planning on hosting a walk, please reach out to Vi, and she’ll pass the info along to us! (P.S. consider collaborating with other clubs at your school! For example, No Place for Hate shares a similar drive for promoting diversity and understanding)
Leader: Samantha Saldana, North Assistant Governor, president of Fullerton Interact, samsam1777@icloud.com
For: Fullerton Interact (please reach out if you’d like to collaborate)
Details: May 3rd (exact time and location to be determined, will likely be in Fullerton)
Leader: Guadalupe Silva, South Assistant Governor, president of San Juan Hills Interact, guadalupesilva780@gmail.com
For: Entire South Area (please reach out to confirm club’s attendance)
Details: May 4th (exact time and location to be determined, will likely be in San Clemente)
Spotlight
One Interactor we are pleased to feature is Bryan Gallegos. A senior in high school, Bryan is a member of the recently founded Fullerton Interact. His friends encouraged him to partake in the club, and he ended up deeply enjoying it. His favorite event was assisting in the construction of a playground for the local Boys and Girls Club in Fullerton. While Bryan has never led a service project, he would love to help lead one in any way he can. His intention in joining Interact was to simply help out the community as well as striving to be a better and more kind person while doing so. As he approaches the end of the year, he hopes to make more memories with my friends through Interact and to continue helping out his community.
Spotlight
This month, we are pleased to feature Leslie “Les” Young, former president and current member of Signal Hill Rotary. A member since 2018, Leslie joined due to his desire to collaborate with others on service projects. He recalled being “delighted to find that there were so many people in the world who cared for their community”. His leadership expanded as time went on, and in 2022, he was elected president. That year, he also founded the Mutt Run, despite the fact that “No one in the club liked [my] idea because it would be difficult to garner interest...but I thought there’s a good chance because of the number of people with dogs and the strength of the running community.” Appealing to each individual member to give him a chance taught him the importance of making sure “that each member feels valued and heard”. By taking them into consideration, Leslie was able to get everyone onboard. Now in its third year, the Mutt Run has raised $5,600, contributing 70% of the profit to Long Beach Animal Care Services. Leslie’s experience with the Mutt Run embodies his life’s mantra: “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.” - Samuel Beckett. “That’s something I learned from organizing the Mutt Run; everyone expected failure, but I was okay with that…Don’t be afraid to try something, because if you never try it, it will never happen.”
Interact District Applications
Hello everyone, the applications for Interact District 5320 Council are open. Here is the QR code to apply! (Applications are due April 30th)
Collabarations
Bella Kim, bellaleekim@gmail.com
Los Alamitos High School Interact, West
Noodles for Nonprofit (info above): We would love for local Interactors to purchase tickets to dinner to support LAHS Interact!
LAHS Interact Talent Show: When tickets go on sale, we'd appreciate support from local Interactors to attend the show! Proceeds go toward the international project.
If you are interested in collaborating with another club, please reach out and let us know!
Reminders
Monthly Zoom Meeting
The next one is March 4th at 7:00 PM
If you wish to attend join the Remind (@d5320) If you have any questions, you can email Vi at apoorvi3113@gmail.com
Interact District Training - March 15th at Chapman
Here is the QR Code to sign up
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!
