July 22, 2021. Our program featured Hannah Shin, a member of the Interact Club of North Allegheny High School. Interact is Rotary International’s service club program for young adults at the secondary school level. Originating in 1962, Interact is now in 145 countries with nearly 15,000 Clubs and 342,000 participants. Hannah will be a member of the inaugural Rotary International Interact Advisory Council helping to shape the future of Interact policies and programs. Right from the start of her Interact association, Hannah began to get the creative freedom to learn and grow as a leader. She attended the District 7305 Conference and the Rotary Leadership Institute where she learned from experienced Rotarians.
She feels that the life lessons she learned through Interact have singlehandedly shaped her life. She believes in the beautiful mission of Service Above Self and how the Four Way Test is a lesson about the need for integrity in life. Interact has enabled her to establish relationships and understanding with people from other countries and cultures. She believes that Interact is the future of Rotary. It gives young people the opportunity to connect with and understand their community. It gives people the ability to make a concrete and tangible impact on the lives of others. It allows people to develop organizational skills that will be useful in their professional lives.
Her Club’s service work includes drives to collect shoes (for Nicaragua), candy, food, and school supplies. They have raised money for ShelterBox and PolioPlus. They provide services for youth, by youth in terms of tutoring and mentorship programs. They joined with their local Rotary Club to volunteer at a nursing home and to pack and deliver Thanksgiving dinners. The Club takes part in cultural celebration which helps international understanding which is perhaps the most under-represented cause of Rotary. Above all, her Interact experience has left her with a desire to be a Rotarian.