Washington Primary School’s third and fourth grade leadership teams worked with Huntington High School Interact Club members on Thursday afternoon, collaborating on a project to help brighten the lives of local homeless veterans.
Every Washington School third and fourth grader is participating in this year’s leadership team program. The students have voluntarily chosen to get involved in activities that benefit the school and local communities while simultaneously learning many of the skills and qualities all good leaders possess.
The Interact Club has been nothing less than a juggernaut since its relatively recent reestablishment at the high school. It’s been active in numerous activities to make the town, country and world a better place. Huntington Interact members have even traveled to Tanzania on a summer service learning trip.
“The Interact Club is always eager to work in the local community and one of the highlights of these efforts is to work with the leadership team at Washington,” said Camille Tedeschi, a Huntington High School social studies teacher who serves as the organization’s faculty advisor.
Thursday afternoon’s collaboration included 36 Washington third and fourth grade leadership team students and 22 high school Interact Club members. The large group worked together on creating Veterans Day cards for homeless vets. When they receive the cards, it’s sure to lift their spirits knowing these Huntington kids care about them.
“Interact has been off to an active start this school year,” Ms. Tedeschi said. “We have 76 active members and always love to work with others. We believe in leading by example and it helps to guide the younger students to be active kind citizens. Collaborating to honor our local heroes is special. We reviewed with the students what a veteran is and why they should be honored.”
Ms. Tedeschi coordinated the program with Washington School teachers Debbie Quiles and Vivian Joseph. Washington teacher aide Carol Cruz also stayed late and pitched in to help insure everything ran smoothly.
Interact is also working with Young Leaders youth development organization to begin a joint collaboration with Jefferson Primary School’s student leadership team, “so we can influence more students to help their community,” Ms. Tedeschi said.
