This was a particularly inspiring kickoff to the Interact year. This is the eleventh year of Interact at Hillcrest H.S., sponsored by the Rotary Club of Park Cities, and it just seems to get better every year. This year the kickoff speaker was Congressman Colin Allred, who graduated from Hillcrest H.S. in 2001.
He gave a very personal speech, saying "Thank you for doing more than the bare minimum by serving others." He told the many students and the faculty members present that he had two significant things in his life, "What God gave me and hard work." He said, “With enough work, you can make your own luck.” He told them that when he votes, "I think about you". "We need your generation." And to take advantage of opportunities, "If you're not at the table, you're on the menu!”
A former Hillcrest Interact president who has graduated from college and become a member of the Dallas police department had wanted to attend, as well, but was prevented by his work. Nevertheless, he sent the following message to the students joining Interact for the year, and particularly to the incoming president, “Congratulations on becoming Interact Club President. You have a wonderful support group and you have an awesome opportunity to learn and grow from this experience. I had notes prepared for this morning and I wanted to share them with you at least.
The biggest lesson I took from joining Interact was TAKING INITIATIVE. YOU get to make decisions, you get to create, you get to guide, and you get to take action. You define this experience for yourself and for others. So do what you believe is best and you believe is right. Go out there, step out of comfort zone, and make that difference. No matter what others think of you, make it happen.
Believe in yourself and others will believe in you. Again - Park Cities Rotary has your back. They will guide you in the right direction, and I can’t think of a better group of people to surround yourself with. If I can help you in any way, don’t hesitate to reach out.
“Hope Interact has a great year.” This is what Interact is all about. We couldn’t have said it better.