Rotary Club of McKinney members sponsor the McKinney High School Interact Club. Other schools in McKinney have Interact clubs sponsored by the McKinney Sunrise Rotary Club. Stephanie Talley, M.S., owner/director of Academics Plus, Rotarian youth leader for the past five years and president-elect of Rotary Club of McKinney, fills in McKinney + Prosper Lifestyle readers regarding what's happening with MHS Interact Club and Rotary Club of McKinney.
Interact is a Rotary-sponsored service club for young people ages 12-18 that focuses on developing leadership skills and fostering international understanding through community projects. Interact clubs are self-governing and self-supporting; they work to benefit both their local community and the wider world.
Stephanie says Rotarian advisers act as a liaison between the Rotary Club and the Interact Club.
"The adviser supports the Interact Club and its on-campus adviser where needed, be it chaperoning or volunteering. Additionally, the Rotarian adviser provides information about service and scholarship opportunities to the Interactors, and reports Interact Club activities to Rotary Club members," explains Stephanie.
She says the MHS on-campus adviser is Dana Dougherty, a special education teacher at the high school.
Activities of this program achieve various objectives. Several Interactors helped Rotarians pack food last July for Kids Against Hunger, a nonprofit that provides meals to children in 70-plus countries. Interactors also helped Rotarians put out flags for Sept. 11.
Each winter, Stephanie says MHS Interact holds a sock drive benefiting Streetside Showers, and McKinney Rotary members promote and participate in it. She adds: "Essentially, anytime one club has a service project, the other can get involved. We are stronger together."
The McKinney High School Interact Club was chartered Dec. 30, 2014. While the club was inactive during the pandemic, Stephanie says it currently has approximately 20 students in grades 9 through 12, and does more than five service projects per year. "This is made possible by our on-campus adviser, Dana, who's both a compassionate educator and driven servant leader," she adds.
Interact clubs have student officers. On-campus and Rotarian advisers provide guidance and support, but students do the planning and execution. For example, MHS Interact students find and coordinate with local restaurants as a fundraiser. They clean up Towne Lake, assemble gifts for teachers and volunteer before and after school.
By the numbers, Stephanie says they're so proud of MHS Interact for collecting roughly 1,300 pairs of socks for their annual sock drive last year. All socks were donated to Streetside Showers.
"However, the thing I personally take most pride in is the joy these students add to their campus. Many of the projects are geared toward building up their peers. For example, the night before school starts each year, MHS Interact students Chalk the Walk by drawing and writing positive messages on the pavement in front of campus," says Stephanie. "Students and teachers alike have commented on how nice it is to start the year with that encouragement."
Another annual project has been Cards of Kindness, which usually takes place during February. During this lunchtime event, MHS Interact hosts a table where all students on campus can make cards with kind messages on them. Students can take the card home to family or friends, or they can make one for a teacher or staff member and MHS Interact delivers it.
"There's no cost for students to make the cards, and more than one staff member has teared up when their card is delivered," Stephanie reveals.
Finally, MHS Interact students complete a teacher appreciation project each year during May. They create a small gift for every staff member on campus, more than 300, and deliver them.
For those interested in participating, MHS Interact has a poster in the MHS Library, and makes regular announcements about service projects. They also have a table at the freshman welcome event each year. Stephanie says any MHS student who wants to participate can just show up.
MHS Interactors attend bi-weekly meetings and participate in service projects. Many Interact students also support, or are members of, the Leos club on campus, which is sponsored by McKinney Lions Club.
"I love seeing the friendship and kindness that's present in MHS Interact," concludes Stephanie.
"I've personally become good friends with Dana, who has selflessly given dozens of hours of time and resources to support our students. I love that we have students of all ages and abilities, and that they include each other and treat each other with respect. To me, this is how Rotary unites us -- as fellow human beings with inherent value. It's wonderful to be able to pass that along to these amazing students."
Editor's Note: Stephanie started as president of the Rotary Club of McKinney on July 1, 2025, so is no longer is Rotarian adviser for MHS Interact. She asserts, "However, I've gotten to know and love these students. I'll definitely visit them at their meetings this year. I'm also excited to involve them in our own club's service projects. They're learning the value of Service Above Self."
Best of luck to new Rotarian adviser for the McKinney initiative, Carmen Alencar.
The Rotary Club of McKinney was chartered on July 1, 1919, according to Rotary District 5810. So, club members celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2018.
Interact Club:
Interact is a club for young people ages 12-18 who want to join together to tackle community issues about which they care most. Interact Club helps students execute hands-on service projects; make international connections; develop leadership skills; and have fun.
What is Interact Club like at McKinney North? The club organizes at least two service projects a year: one that benefits the community and one that encourages international understanding. The Interact Club at McKinney North High School receives guidance from the McKinney Sunrise Rotary Club. Some past activities include mums/garter for special needs students on campus, making Valentines for soldiers and making a Thanksgiving lunch-in for teachers to say "Thank you" for all they do.