Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about. Through Interact, these students:
Carry out hands-on service projects
Make international connections
Develop leadership skills
Have fun!
2015/2016 School Year
Officers
President: Grace Drennan
Vice- President: Pierce DiMauro
Secretary: Madeleine Macauley
Treasurer: Kirstin DiMauro
The MDI High School Interact Club is a Rotary-affiliated service club that has grown from 22 founding student members to 40 students today. The Bar Harbor club was chartered at MDI High School on March 27, 2002 by then District Governor Gary Walker and club President Joe Losquadro; and supported in the formative years by the hard work and mentorship of Rotarian Bob Noonan.
Its service activities includes the fall community supper fundraiser, with proceeds earmarked for the club's annual projects; Christmas shopping with the Emmaus Center in Ellsworth; support of the Beth Wright Cancer Center in Ellsworth; and the annual spring prom for Downeast Horizons. In 2007 the club worked with MDI Rotary to bring the Harlem Ambassadors basketball stars for an exhibition game to raise funds for both clubs.
2014/2015 School Year
Officers
President: Emma Fernald
Vice- President: Flannery Dillon
Secretary: Rebecca Gerrish
Treasurer: Kendra Bonsey
The club accomplished the following in this past year:
Fill a Boat: Assist Rotary with cancer research fundraiser; members passed out hors d'oeuvres on a Bar Harbor boat cruise.
Cookie's Ride: Jackson Lab cancer research bike ride in memory of Cookie, a former employee; members helped set up and break down, as well as directed bikers during the race.
Polio Donation: Polio Awareness Week, a $50 donation from Interact fund.
Take Pride in Acadia Day: Members arrived at park headquarters and were taken to sections of the carriage roads to rake and clear out drainage ditches before winter.
Backpack Project DHHS: Backpacks were filled with whatever needs that foster kids have at the time. We took money out of our Interact fund and shopped for items as well as backpacks; this year we spent $250. This filled 10 backpacks, 5 for girls, 5 for boys.
First Friday Food Day: First Friday, of every month we tried to get everyone to bring in food for our schools food pantry.
Barbara Bush Toy Drive: Donated toys/books to Barbara Bush Children's hospital around Christmas time. We set donation boxes in each classroom and asked for donations of new toys or new/lightly used books. Delivered toys to the Children's hospital before Christmas.
SeaCoast Mission Gift Wrapping: Wrapping and picking out presents around Christmas to deliver to families in need of assistance.
Candy Grams: Proceeds went to Safe Passages; Lollipops with messages attached were sold around Valentine’s Day
SPCA Painting: We painted ALL of the interior walls of the SPCA of Hancock County.
Panama Wheel Chair Project: Rotary traveled to Panama to deliver wheel chairs and we bought school supplies for them to bring with them for kids that were in need.
Women's Health Center Frock Swap: Folded and organized clothes and assisted anyone who needed help.
Chris Heel's Autism Walk: Chris Heel puts on a walk/run every year to raise money for Autism research. We helped set up and break down, as well as directing the participants during the race and during water stops.
Interact Prom: Big event put on for members of Downeast Horizons. Interact members dress up, dance and have fun with members of Downest Horizons community. This years theme was Masquerade.
Rotary 4th of July Seafood Festival: Members helped setup and serve food during the event. This is Rotary’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
