Interact Club brings presentation to district-wide meeting

Sisters High School Interact Club students will compete to plan an international project that could help kids fight diabetes on a global level.

The Sisters High School Interact Club members carry out two service projects a year, seeking to make a difference in the world. "Interact" is a service club sponsored by Sisters Rotary Club. It is made up of highly motivated students who desire to help people on a community and international level for a lasting impact on society.

On October 18, Interact leadership team president Maggie Bidasolo, secretary Zidane Galant-Laporte, and treasurer Kenna Cardin, along with two other Interact students will compete with more than 32 interact clubs district-wide, using a PowerPoint presentation of their project at the Interact District Training Assembly in Roseburg.

Mike Bidasolo, Sisters Rotary Club member, acts as advisor for their weekly club meetings held in the health classroom at Sisters High School.

"Once a year, Rotary District 5110 meets in Roseburg for the training meeting, and they choose one international project out of out of all the presentations," Bidasolo said.

Sisters High School Interact Club was launched last year with encouragement from Heather Johnson, Sisters High School health teacher, and Bidasolo.

"We have done research on Type 2 diabetes with the help of Eden and Kevin Miller, DO, of High Lakes Heath Care in Sisters," said Maggie Bidasolo. "The Millers are internationally known for their expertise on diabetes and we are partnering with them for this project. Eden Miller is also a national lecturer for diabetes treatment and prevention and serves on several diabetes advisory boards. So they are providing the message with their knowledge and we are the messenger."

Diabetes causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.

Galant-Laporte has worked closely with the project accumulating knowledge about the disease.

"Our mission is to reduce diabetes through education," said Galant-Laporte. "Only five percent are Type 1, and it is genetic. Type 2 is preventable and reversible."

Maggie Bidasolo explained what makes their presentation unique.

"Our interact club wants to spread the message, and educate kids in our generation through peer support. Kids will listen more to friends their age than parents," Bidasolo said.

"Right now one in four babies born today is going to be diabetic. Something has to be done, and we think that Sisters Interact Club can help," said Mike Bidasolo. "All we need is the student's energy, communication, and with the help of social media, we can create a positive international goal with structured educational programs that will teach people more about managing diabetes."