Across the globe, Interact Clubs, the high school branch of Rotary International, empower young minds to make change in their communities through volunteerism, leadership and global awareness.
Founded in December 2024, the Interact Club of Rancho Santa Fe is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Rancho Santa Fe and brings together students from multiple high schools who share a passion for service. The club provides an outlet to engage in community service, organize impactful projects and connect with mentors from all over.
“Well, I actually started this club with my co-founder, Viktoria Kiss (11),” Adrianna Adatiya (11) said, the club’s co–vice president. “Our events are hands-on and meaningful, usually one or two per month, and we wanted this club to be inclusive. It is open to anyone from Torrey Pines [High School], La Costa Canyon [High School], San Dieguito Academy (SDA) or elsewhere.”
“We just really wanted to create a place for students [to find volunteer opportunities] easily,” Adatiya said.
The club emphasizes student authority, teamwork and making a positive impact in their community, giving students the chance to create projects that matter to them.
“In the club, we’re all about empowering students,” Ava Timlake (11), co-vice president and head of social media said. “Teamwork is very important for me, especially when it comes to community projects. Something that I find is very important is making sure that we have passion for the project we are doing.”
Other than Kiss, Adatiya and Timlake, the leadership team includes Morgan Ritter (11) as treasurer and Ava Hauer (11) as secretary. Each role carries responsibilities, from financial management to updates on the club’s social media.
“Being co–vice President, my job is mostly [ensuring smooth] communication and organization,” Adatiya said. “I constantly update our group chat with volunteer opportunities and coordinate with the Rotary board. We really want our members to feel like their ideas and suggestions matter. Active communication is key; it keeps the energy and motivation high.”
Timlake expands on the other board leaders’ roles.
“I make lots of posts and mainly run our Instagram,” Timlake said. “Besides social media I also have the duty of watching over other committees to make sure that we are accomplishing everything that needs to be done.”
The board works closely with Mary Murray, the Rotary Club’s Youth Coordinator and longtime Rotarian with 23 years of experience, who helped the students launch the chapter through Rotary connections.
Murray described the club’s culture.
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to lead by example,” Murray said. “We encourage students to be leaders, live their lives giving back and make a difference in their communities. ‘Service Above Self’ isn’t just a motto, it’s a mindset.”
Murray highlighted the importance of leadership and community service among students, while Adatiya emphasizes Kiss’s pivotal role.
“Viki oversees everything we do,” Adatiya said. “She makes sure our events are planned, and we distribute responsibilities each month. One of us [is then responsible for] creating the main program for that month. Viki also works with Mary to coordinate our projects with Rotary’s bigger events, like the [Rotary Youth Leadership Awards] Retreat for juniors. It’s really inspiring to see how it all comes together.”
Despite its young age, the club has already made a difference in its community. One of its first major projects was a school supplies and necessities drive for the Monarch School, a downtown San Diego school that serves unhoused students. Through reaching out to community members for donations, the club raised around $800 and collected items ranging from pencils and folders to shampoo and lotion for the children at the school.
“Delivering those supplies was an incredible [experience],” Adatiya said. “Even though we were just a few students, we realized how much of a difference small actions can make. It wasn’t just the donations, it was understanding how our efforts help them make an impact in school and in [their lives].”
The club also volunteers at the San Diego Food Bank and Solutions for Change, helping prepare meals and support for individuals reintegrating into society. These hands-on experiences are central to the club’s mission of building empathy and community engagement.
“One of my favorite experiences was packaging over a thousand boxes of food at the food bank,” Adatiya said. “It was physically demanding; we were lifting powdered milk, stacking boxes, but it really felt amazing knowing that every box was going to families in need. That’s the kind of impact that really motivates you to keep helping.”
Beyond volunteering, the club provides mentorship and networking, connecting students with Rotary members working in law, medicine and other fields.
“Interact and Rotary are amazing for building connections,” Adatiya said. “You can talk to people you’d never normally meet, ask questions and get advice. It’s inspiring, especially for someone like me who wants to pursue a career as a doctor. Seeing people who’ve gone through the same path and succeeded motivates me to keep striving.”
The Interact Club of Rancho Santa Fe continues to grow its membership and community outreach and encourages anyone interested in service to participate.
“Our main mission is really about empowering youth leaders and spreading [positive] impact wherever we can,” Adatiya said. “We’re building relationships, helping the community and giving members experiences that will stay with them for life. It’s more than just volunteering, it’s about growing as a person while making the world a little better.”
