West Milford High School offers many clubs and activities to its students; one very important club is Interact. Interact is run by Ms. Damstrom. According to www.rotary.org, Interact club is for people ages 12 to 18. The club is sponsored by individual Rotary clubs and is a national organization. In addition, they are self-governing as well as self-supporting, although Rotary clubs do provide guidance. The motto of the club at WMHS is “Service above Self.”

Interact members develop many traits via activities through the club. With this, there are a few main traits that stand out. In a recent interview, Ms. Damstrom listed the traits one can gain as follows: “developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advancing international understanding and goodwill.” The Interact club sees these traits as a priority and there is a focus within the club on developing them.

Since the beginning of the year, Interact has been fundraising for the Gift of Life Foundation. Interact clubs, as well as Rotary clubs, work with The Gift of Life “to help save the lives of children diagnosed with congenital heart defects.” The final event of the Gift of Life Fund will be a 2K run/walk at the track on May 18 from 12 PM to 4 PM. Anyone interested in helping a child in need of heart surgery can participate. Those interested can go to the track and register. The fee is $10 and bracelets are given to participants to show their support.

 In addition to this final event, Interact has also completed different fundraisers toward the same cause. This fundraiser was a bagel competition and the homeroom that raised the most money won a bagel breakfast. Ms. Signorelli’s homeroom won and raised $150 when just about $400 was raised altogether.

Overall, Interact is a very active group that supports causes to help those in need. Those part of Interact demonstrate many important traits and life skills, and are also willing to extend their help to others. Fortunately, you did not need to be part of interact to help support. By participating in the fundraisers, you show the same support.