Lauren Sfeir
INTERACT CLUB

Co-sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ponderay Centennial and the Sandpoint Rotary Club, the Interact Club goes by the motto “service over self.”

This year, the club has been working on sponsoring cataract surgeries for individuals in poor communities in Ethiopia and has already managed to raise about $850 by selling Krispy Kreme donuts. That amount is enough to pay for 17 surgeries and will be matched by both the Ponderay and Sandpoint Rotary Clubs.

In addition, Interact aided with a benefit dinner for Community Cancer Services that was sponsored by the Ponderay Rotary Club in November and participated in two hospice events.

“One was the offering of roses for a donation to hospice in the fall and the other was the Tree Lighting Ceremony held by hospice in December,” Nanci Jenkins, President of the Ponderay Rotary Club, said.

The members of the club have also enjoyed working to make the foreign exchange students feel more at home through holding a harvest party on Halloween and by baking them cookies for Christmas.

At the end of the day, being able to serve their community and making a difference is what makes joining the club worthwhile.

Lauren Sfeir

KEY CLUB

As part of Kiwanis International, the Key Club works by the motto “involvement makes a difference and brings out the best in all of us.”

Throughout this year, the Key Club members have volunteered to help with Ready! For Kindergarten, have aided the Relay for Life team, which supports the American Cancer Society, and donated a tree for auction at the Festival of Trees that supports Kinderhaven.

In order to support the club’s activities, members have sold cotton candy at football games and school events. They have also sold Krispy Kreme donuts and have helped manage the concession booths.

Club members volunteer for other community needs such as bell ringing through the holidays and parking cars during Lost in the 50s.

Having members that are open to new challenges, the Key Club is able to accomplish a wide variety of tasks and manages to draw in new members throughout the year.

“I am proud of our group this year. They are a great bunch of kids, who are excited about getting out and doing things […] I think that we have an array of personalities and interests, and that we represent a good cross section of Sandpoint High School. The best part is that we have fun,” Luera Holt, Key Club’s adviser, said.