SIMPSON BAY, Sint Maarten – The Charlotte Brookson Academy became a part of the Rotary Family when the newest Interact Club on St. Maarten was chartered. The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle have sponsored the new Charlotte Brookson Academy Interact Club. The Club was chartered on June 20th, 2019, at their own campus, with twenty-five members being inducted. Mid Isle also sponsor The Interact Clubs of St. Dominic’s high school and C.I.A.
The first board of the Charlotte Brookson Academy Interact club are President – K’Maya Lake, Vice President – Oshanti Atkinson, Secretary – Ma’ Lysha Cannieter, Treasurer – Selena Boodram, Public Relations Officer – Erslyn Richardson and Sergeant of Arms – Yaelle Javois
At the Charter of the new Charlotte Brookson Academy Interact club, President Denise Antrobus of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle on behalf of its members presented to the new Interact Club, a bell, gavel and their Interact Club Banner.
Interact is an international organization of service and social clubs for young people of secondary school age 12-18 that fosters leadership and responsible citizenship and promotes international understanding and peace. The name “Interact” was created by combining the words “international” and “action.” Interact clubs are sponsored by Rotary clubs as a program of Rotary International. The sponsor Rotary clubs provide guidance and inspiration, but the Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting. Clubs vary greatly, with both single-gender and mixed as well as large and small. The membership base of a club can be drawn from the student body of a single school or from two or more schools from the same community.
Each year, Interact clubs complete at least one community service project and at least one project that furthers international understanding and goodwill. Interacts’ five primary avenues of service include the following: community, international, school, environmental, and fundraising. Interactors develop a worldwide network of friendships through exchanges with local and overseas clubs. Along the way, Interactors develop their leadership skills and initiative while meeting new friends.
Interactors often spearhead the formation of Rotaract clubs and participate in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA). Interactors also often go on to become Rotary Youth Exchange students or Ambassadorial Scholars.
The first Interact club was initiated on November 5th 1962 by the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Florida, USA. Two months later, the first Interact club outside the United States was established in Tanjore, India. There are over 20,300 Interact clubs in 159 countries and geographical areas, 80% of the world’s countries have Interact clubs. Interact is truly a worldwide phenomenon.
Through service activities, Interactors learn the importance of, developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others and advancing international understanding and goodwill. Most importantly, World Interact Week celebrates Rotary’s youngest leaders making a difference in their schools and communities.
The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle presently meets Tuesday at 7pm at Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay. For more information please contact rotarysxm.mi@gmail.com or visit our face book page Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle.
