OHS Interact Club learn signs, prevention of human trafficking

Published 8:30 am Thursday, December 10, 2015

Special to The Leader

The Orangefield High School Interact Club participated in a Rotaract/Interact mixer on November 19th at West Brook High School in Beaumont. Students gained knowledge on human trafficking thanks to the guest speakers from the Rape and Suicide Crisis Center of Southeast Texas and the Harvest House. Local Interact clubs provided various items to aid the victims of human trafficking in the area. Students filled bags with items such as soap, shampoo, lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as snacks. Dr. & Mrs. Ronald Risinger and the Gulf Coast Orthodontic Specialists staff donated Scope mouthwash. Special thanks to Patterson Dental representative Benny Mazzola IV. The donation of 30 full size bottles of mouthwash made it possible for the Interact members from various clubs to put together toiletry bags for the recovering victims.

Interact is the student extension of Rotary International. It is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle the issues in their community that they care most about. Through Interact, students: carry out hands-on service projects, make international connections, develop leadership skills, and have fun (www.rotary.org).

Orangefield High School established its Interact Club in October of 2011 as the initiative of a group of service minded students with a desire to lead. The faculty sponsor is Bridget Trawhon and the meetings are held twice a month on Monday afternoons at 3:33PM. Bridge City-Orangefield Rotary Club member Ronnie Hutchison is the Rotarian that works closely with OHS Interact.

Contributing to this article is Brook Chisum, OHS Interact member