'The Best Kids in the World'

What can two hundred teenagers and a pair of advisors accomplish when they work together? If those teenagers are Wilmington’s Rotary Interact group, they can accomplish almost anything!

Wilmington’s Rotary Interact is part of a larger worldwide Rotary Club network that spans one hundred and nine countries worldwide. With upwards of 200,000 young people involved across the globe Rotary Interact is, as their website explains, “a worldwide phenomenon.”

Here in Wilmington, Rotary Interact is comprised of approximately two hundred high school students overseen by two experienced advisors, Jack Cushing and Lt. Christopher Neville.

The largest Interact Club in Rotary District 7930, Wilmington’s Rotary Interact does a lot more than just talk about making a difference. These teens volunteer throughout the community and as, as Cushing said, “are the best kids in the world.”

Based on the same political structure as The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Interact is headed by a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, sergeant of arms and eight board members. In order to allow each class equal representation the Board of Directors always includes two students from each grade level.  

The President’s position is always filled with a Senior classman and Vice President is always a junior classman. The students learn from one another and the vice president moves into the president’s position the following school year. 

Meetings take place two times a month and attendance is considered crucial. “We know it’s hard for these kids with all of their activities,” said Cushing, “but they all do their best to be there.”

Rotary Interact is generally involved in one activity each month and every student is required to participate in at least one a year. Many student’s, however, participate in as many activities as they possibly can.

First on the annual list is . Rotary Interact students play a key role in this event by directing runners at every corner and intersection of the route.

Their role on race day is crucial and they have been involved in the half marathon since its second running in 2006. Local urban legend has it that, during the first running of the race, before Rotary Interact was involved, one runner made it all the way to North Reading after taking a wrong turn.

Perhaps the most impressive activity, however, takes place every November when, with they help of Terri Marciello, Wilmington’s Elderly Services Director.
Rotary’s kids lay out a plan to rake lawns for many of Wilmington’s Senior Citizens.

“Once raking day was one of the coldest days of the year," said Cushing. “And it blew me away when I realized that 125 kids had shown up to help out in spite of the horrible weather.”

Along with the race and their raking day, Rotary Interact teens help with the Annual Rotary Auction. Many donate their own items to help raise money and others help out with raffles, prizes and other elements throughout the event. Other events for Rotary Interact are volunteering for the annual Recreation Dept. breakfast with Santa, serving breakfast the Saturday before Easter to the residents at Deming Way and helping out with the Senior Centers Annual Valentines Luncheon. 

In January, Rotary Interact fulfills their International Project. This is a charitable donation meant to help fill a need anywhere in the world. 

“One year,’ said Cushing, “they bought beds for an orphanage.”

A favorite event for Rotary Interact is the upcoming 3^rd Annual Wilmington Trivia Night scheduled to take place May 5^th at the After serving dinner, students pair off with seniors and compete to answer 50 – 60 “Wilmington Trivia Questions.” Everyone has fun and learns something new about the town we all call home.

This year, Rotary Interact, is participating in a new event the morning of Election Day. Once again, teamed up with the Buzzell Senior Center, the students help with a fundraising breakfast. Proceeds will go towards to Buzzell Senior Center Scholarships.

While so many people benefit from Rotary Interact’s work, no one benefits as much as the kids participating. Rotary Interact’s teens learn leadership skills; develop a work ethic and sense of social responsibility and, most of all see the value of much of their charitable work firsthand. 

“When you have kids in community service,” said Cushing, “you have kids that are not hanging out on a street corner.”

Rotary Interact truly proves that with a little guidance teens can improve the world we live in. “These kids do a great job,” said Cushing. “I’m lucky to have two hundred of the best kids out there.