Interact clubs are sponsored by local Rotary Clubs and strive to bring together young people ages 12 to 18, to develop leadership skills, while discovering the power of Service Above Self. One of the most ambitious Rotary Interact initiatives is occurring worldwide is the Zone 28 & 32 Interact Convention - an immersive four day conference that aims to bring together American, Bermudian, Canadian,
and French Interact students, to build a cross-border community of passionate peers. Berlin High School sophomore John Platt participated in the convention, and was the only student selected to participate from our local Rotary District. John is currently the Sophomore Representative in the BHS Interact Club and is also involved in a division of Boy Scouts called the Order of the Arrow, where he is a Camp Chief and Section Secretary. Both of these leadership roles have prepared John for this conference. His trip was also sponsored and paid for by the New Britain-Berlin and Kensington-Berlin Rotary Clubs. This was the first conference of its kind in the Rotary world. Passionate Interactors joined together in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and through interactive sessions and high-profile speakers, explored topics of resilience, the necessity of youth leadership in our ever-changing world, and the power of collaboration to tackle global issues.
According to the event's website, "We strongly believe that when Rotary Interact students are able to connect with like-minded leaders and take action to further their leadership skills, they not only have the power to change their respective clubs and communities but also their lives.
Our hope 1s that students leave this conference as better leaders than they were when they entered.
Using his new skills, John is planning on developing new international and local projects for the community's Rotary and Interact clubs. He is also hoping to plan events and unify all Rotary and Interact clubs within the district. Additionally, he is striving to be on the
planning committee for the next Zone Interact Convention in Windsor, Canada in 2024. According to John, "I hope others within the district and community take advantage of leadership opportunities like this not just to benefit themselves, but rather the world.