Interact Club has been a driving force at Hudson High encouraging students to become leaders to work to better their community in and outside of school. This year, the club is led by officers seniors Maddy Stone, Sophie Charbonneau, Emily Haley, and junior Izzy Chamberlain. The officers sat down with The Big Red to talk about their activities and plans for this year.
At Hudson High, the Interact Club has long been a space where students come together to make a difference in their community while building meaningful friendships. The officers are inspired by Ms. Porter, the club continues to thrive through service projects, fundraisers, and engaging events.
Why Students Keep Coming Back
For many members, Interact Club has been a part of their high school journey since freshman year. Seniors Haley and Stone both emphasized the importance of community service in their decision to stay involved.
“I’ve always been big on community service, so there’s that element of getting in touch with my community and actively doing things to benefit it. That’s something I really love about the club,” Haley shared.
Stone echoed that sentiment, explaining how Ms. Porter’s energy and the friendships she formed through Interact encouraged her to stay committed.
“When I first joined as a freshman, I told myself I needed to get involved. Ms. Porter had such great energy, and I met a lot of amazing people,” said Stone.
For Chamberlain and Charbonneau, the club’s traditions and welcoming atmosphere played a big role in their continued participation.
“I joined because a friend kept talking about it, and I ended up really enjoying it,” Chamberlain said.
“The yearly events, like trivia night and Backpack Buddies, were so much fun, and I loved the people,” Charbonneau added that although she was initially shy, she found her place within the club.
“I didn’t know many people at first, but over time, I made new friends. I love community service and helping people, so that’s why I keep coming back,” said Charbonneau.
Trivia Night and the Community Block Takeover
One of Interact Club’s most anticipated annual events is Trivia Night, a fundraiser where students participate in a fun, competitive quiz competition while supporting a charitable cause.
“This is our second year running the event,” Haley explained. “Sometimes the proceeds go to large organizations like the Red Cross, but other times, we donate to smaller, local causes that need help.”
Since COVID, attendance at events has fluctuated, and the club hopes this initiative will encourage more students to join in.
“We’ve been running this for the past two years to boost interest,” Charbonneau explained. “People have different knowledge areas, so it’s great for teamwork.”
Backpack Buddies: Fighting Food Insecurity
Interact Club is also involved in service projects like Backpack Buddies, a food packaging initiative aimed at supporting students in need.
“Backpack Buddies has changed its name a couple of times, but the goal is the same. We put together prepackaged food like cereal, chips, and mac and cheese for kids who need meals outside of school.” Charbonneau mentioned.
Through their ongoing efforts, Interact Club members demonstrate the power of student-led service and the impact of coming together for a common cause.
“It became not just about helping the community but also about doing it with friends,” said Stone.
