From Classroom to Community: How Smyrna Rotary’s Interact Clubs Grow Young Leaders

The Rotary Club of Smyrna: Serving the Community and Empowering Youth Through Interact

Introduction to the Rotary Club of Smyrna

The Rotary Club of Smyrna, located in Smyrna, Tennessee, is a vibrant part of Rotary International’s District 6760. Chartered in 1971 with Club ID 3838, this club has been dedicated to the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self” for over five decades. Members meet every Thursday at noon at the Smyrna Event Center, located at 100 E Sam Ridley Pkwy, Smyrna, TN 37167.

The club can be contacted via phone at (615) 330-0516 or through their website at www.rotaryofsmyrna.org. The club fosters connections among local business and community leaders to address needs both locally and globally.

The Interact Program: Empowering Young Leaders

Rotary Interact clubs are quietly shaping a new generation of confident, compassionate leaders by giving young students real opportunities to serve and lead. Rotary International’s Interact program, created for youth ages 12–18, invites students into a vibrant service club where they develop leadership skills, make new friends, and discover the joy and responsibility of helping others under the guiding principle of “Service Above Self.” Through hands-on projects that improve their schools, support local needs, and even build bridges across borders, students discover that their ideas and energy can make a lasting difference in the world around them. Working side-by-side with peers and caring adult mentors, they learn the value of service, grow in character, practice teamwork, and gain the courage to step forward as the leaders their communities will one day depend on.

Interact clubs bring together youth to:

• Take action and make a difference in their schools and communities
• Discover new cultures and promote international understanding
• Become leaders in their schools and communities
• Have fun while building lifelong friendships around the world
* Potential College Scholarships

Each Interact club is sponsored by a local Rotary club, which provides mentorship and guidance. Clubs are required to organize at least two projects annually: one benefiting their school or community and one promoting international understanding. The students also learn The Rotary Four-Way Test is a simple, nonpartisan ethical guide created by Herbert J. Taylor in 1932.

It asks four key questions about actions, words, or thoughts: 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned? It serves as a moral compass for personal and professional relationships, promoting integrity, fairness, and service.

Interactors also celebrate global events such as World Interact Week, the Interact Video Awards, Rotary Youth Day at the United Nations, and Global Youth Service Day.

Smyrna Interact History

To join, students can check with their school or contact a nearby Rotary club to see if an Interact club exists or how to start one.

Globally, Interact boasts over 342,952 members (known as Interactors) in 145 countries, across 14,911 clubs—a testament to its widespread impact on youth development.

The Smyrna Rotary Club’s Engagement with Local Schools and Youth

The Rotary Club of Smyrna actively supports youth in the community, particularly through partnerships with local schools in Rutherford County. A notable example is their longstanding relationship with Smyrna West Alternative School, where the club serves as the school’s de facto Parent-Teacher Organization. They organize events like the annual Job Shadow Day, giving students real-world exposure to local businesses and career opportunities—described by participants as a “life-changing” experience.

Interact clubs are at Smyrna High School, LaVergne High School and Stewart Creek High School schools. The Smyrna Rotary Club’s focus on youth aligns closely with Interact’s mission. Rotary clubs like Smyrna’s often mentor and guide young people in service projects, leadership development, and community impact, embodying the spirit of the Interact program.

”Interact changes students’ lives, and one moment in particular still stands out to me. Last year, a speaker shared the United States

Peace Index and revealed that Tennessee ranked a troubling 49th out of 50 states, with only Louisiana less peaceful.
When she asked, “What word comes to mind when you hear ‘peace’?” I thought of tranquility. After the meeting, I introduced myself to a young Latino student named Sunday. He brought up her question and said, “When she asked about peace, I thought of Jesus, because he changes people’s hearts.”
His answer surprised and encouraged me. It was a powerful reminder of how Interact clubs positively influence students, helping them think deeply, improve their lives, and build a better future. Rep. Mike Sparks of Smyrna

In District 6760, which encompasses Middle and West Tennessee, Interact remains an important avenue for engaging students in meaningful service while fostering connections with adult Rotarians.

Through these efforts, the Rotary Club of Smyrna continues to build international understanding, make new friends around the world, and inspire the next generation to put service above self. For those interested in getting involved—whether as a member, mentor, or young leader—reaching out to the club is a great first step.