Sedona Red Rock Middle School Interact Students Make a Meaningful Impact at the Humane Society

On May 7, Sedona Red Rock Middle School students made a meaningful impact during their end-of-year field trip to the Humane Society of Sedona. The group delivered two boxes filled with blankets and food, collected through a donation drive that engaged all three grade levels at the school.

Kasin Burke, president of the high school Interact Club, expressed pride in their community involvement. “This is our big volunteer act of the year,” said the eighth-grader, highlighting the club’s dedication to fundraising and service.

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sedona, the Interact Club provides leadership opportunities for students. Middle school teacher Isabel Fritzler, who advises the group, emphasizes the importance of youth engagement in community service. “It’s crucial to create opportunities for them to explore their ideas and participate in activities that help them pursue their passions,” she noted.

The donation drive encouraged friendly competition among grades, with the winning group earning donuts. Burke reported that the eighth grade collected the most items this year, and the same format helped deliver over 150 items to the Sedona Community Food Bank earlier in the school year.

Trevor Combs, animal care supervisor at HSS, praised the utility of the donated blankets. “These are fantastic for our needs,” he said. He explained that the blankets are used for dog kennels but often require replacement due to wear and tear. “On average, a blanket lasts about two to four months,” Combs added.

During their visit, students also assisted with various chores at the shelter, including sealing dog food bags and folding laundry. Jean Barton, Co-Chairwoman of Youth Services, reflected on the students’ hard work and the pressures of leadership within the club. “It’s impressive to see how much they accomplish throughout the year,” said Barton.

Burke advised his successor to stay resilient in leadership, noting the challenges he faced while managing meetings. Seventh-grader Aarav Bhakta is nominated to take on this role next. He expressed his goals to expand the club’s community service efforts, integrating fundraising with school activities.

“I’m proud of how far the club has come,” Burke stated, mentioning how initial participation was minimal but has since grown significantly. “We started with high hopes, and each subsequent year has been more successful.”

Interact Club Members:
Ashley Aleman
Natalie Avilez
Zoe Bermude
Kasin Burke
Matthew Brown
Atlas Branch
Aarav Bhakta
Alex Cutler
Abril Dominguez
Matthew Martinez
Luke Metzger
Neftail Montes
Anaiya Michelle
Yaretzi Perez Perez
Erick Perez
Francisco Sanchez

Club Advisor: Isabel Fritzler
Co-Chairwoman of Youth Services: Jean Barton