Photo courtesy Ed Feragen
Pagosa Springs High School students celebrate the launch of their new Rotary Interact Club, a student-led service organization that empowers teens to connect, lead, and make a difference locally and globally. Pictured, left to right, are Duke Ketchum, Wyatt Carr, Van Halterman, Justin Sewell, Jackson Chaney, Marlie Adams, Kyley Matyniak, Madison DeClark, Adelyn Hittle, Madisen Stretton, Bella Adkisson, Isabela Forster, Leah Blackman and Dawson Iverson.
A new student-led club is taking off at Pagosa Springs High School. Fourteen enthusiastic students came together this week for the very first meeting of the school’s Rotary Interact Club, a youth organization that empowers teens to connect with each other, serve their community, and make an impact around the world.
Part of a global network of nearly 200,000 young people in more than 10,700 clubs across 109 countries, Interact provides a platform for students to grow as leaders while living Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
Interact members commit to at least one local and one international service project each year, chosen by a vote of the students.
The club also follows Rotary’s Four-Way Test, which asks: “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?”
Addie Hittle, the club’s first president, led the kickoff meeting by showing a video about Interact and guiding a discussion on service project ideas. Students brainstormed ways to make a difference both locally and globally, while enjoying pizza to celebrate the launch. Elections for additional officers — including vice president, secretary, and treasurer — will be held at the next meeting.
The new Interact Club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs, which will provide mentorship, resources, and encouragement as the students grow their club, along with guidance from teacher-sponsor Holly Blackman, who is helping members organize meetings and bring their ideas to life.
Like Rotary, Interact is a nonpolitical and nonreligious organization that welcomes all students. The focus is on service, leadership, and friendship — bringing people together around shared values of making a difference locally and globally.
Rotary members and other community professionals will attend upcoming meetings to share career insights and support students in their leadership journey.
The Interact Club will meet twice a month on the second and fourth Thursdays during lunch in Room C23. Students who would like to attend future Interact meetings are encouraged to reach out in advance to Blackman or Hittle. This helps organizers plan ahead and make sure there’s enough pizza to go around. Plans are already underway for guest speakers, community service projects, and plenty of opportunities to build leadership skills.
Pagosa Springs High School’s Interact Club welcomes all students interested in service, leadership, and friendship.
For more information: Contact Blackman at hblackman@pagosa.k12.co.us, Room C23 or
Hittle at 27hittlea@pagosa.k12.co.us.