Making an impact through Interact

Interact club has been around since the beginning of PHU and has made an impact on the students involved in the club and on the community as a whole.

Palm Harbor University was founded in 1996, and along with it came Interact Club – a student organization for volunteering and community work through the school.  Not only is Interact a great way to receive Bright Futures hours, but it is also a time to hang out with friends and work to better the community together.

Mrs. Gunn is the current club sponsor, and has been for at least eight years.

“The goals are to be able to do as much community service as possible and right now i would say we are on track,” Gunn said.

“My favorite part about being a sponsor is being able to interact with previous students all through high school since I am a freshmen teacher and do not get to see them otherwise.” Gunn said.

Through volunteer opportunities like Students Teach Students and the Canned Food Drive, Interact has already put in countless hours to educating youth on topics like the dangers of smoking and providing food for families in need.

Some of the clubs officers, Marian Antonio, Emily Anderson, and Graysen DeVito, are even competing with each other to see who can get the most hours.

“I really like doing volunteering and community service. My favorite volunteering opportunity is when we do dinner dances at the community center once a month,” treasurer, Emily Anderson said. Anderson has participated in Interact since freshmen year and will be finishing her final year in Interact as a senior.

The club has grown in these 20 years from 20 members to 100, allowing students to impact countless lives in the community through the services they’ve provided.

Interact Club meets in Mrs. Gunn’s room 5-113 at 1:45 on every other Thursday.  Check out the posted list on Mrs. Gunn’s door.