TJ Interact Club holds its yearly dinner at the Brown Palace Hotel.
Photo courtesy of Danny Showers
At the end of each year, TJ Interact visits a top-of-the-line restaurant to celebrate the achievements met, and on April 11th the dinner was held at an extravagant location. Club President Junior Daniela Cardona said, “Every year, Interact Club has an end of the year dinner, and this year we had it at the Brown Palace Hotel. The entire atmosphere was really upscale and classy; we all dressed up and were on our best behavior.”
Dinner was held in the Onyx Event room, a dimly-lit lavish dining area, with hand painted ceilings and a butler offering hors d’oeuvres, and dinner guests including Brown Palace Hotel owner, Roger Hutson, representatives of the Denver Tech Center Rotary Club Rob and Kelly Packard, Head Secretary Pam Collins, Principal Sandra Just and her son Aaron Cardona joining the table.
To start off the ceremony, each individual member received a gift to proudly display his/her involvement in the Interact Club. Cardona said, “Everyone received a pin, and then officers received a second one according to their position. But, also, Aaron [Just’s son] was presented as an honorary TJHS Interact Club Member. It was with great pleasure that the club decided he receive this privilege.”
Interact Club Member Senior Mario Ventrello commented, “The entire dining was an experience, and it was such a treat. Everyone made sure to be well-mannered and respectful as the food was served. First we had rolls served with a tiny mound of butter, and the option to serve ourselves fresh greens and fruit punch. Then, salad was served and we used our etiquette techniques to use the correct fork. Then, to cleanse our palettes we had sorbet, which lead to the main course of a breaded chicken on a plate decorated with bright vegetables, like carrots and tomatoes and peas, and mashed potatoes. It was absolutely delicious, topped with Crème Brûlée for dessert, and I’m glad we got that opportunity.”
Once the dining service was finished, Public Relations Officer Junior Abby Montgomery provided a reading of the TJHS Interact Club accomplishments of the 2010-2011 school year. Montgomery stated, “The projects were written down and presented in order for the DTC Rotary Club to see all that we have accomplished. The projects achieved throughout the 2010-2011 school year were Smart Girl, Hoby, Sister Club, Heifer, Shelter Box for Japan, Interfaith was completed twice, Otis Spunkmeyer, Turkeys for Thanksgiving, and Mile High Youth Corps. We wanted to let them know that the sponsoring and the matching funds they have done for us, and that our fundraisers are being put to good use of the Rotary International motto ‘Service above self.’”
Afterwards, the introduction of new TJHS Interact Club officers for the 2011-2012 school year was announced. Daniela Cardona said, “We had voted previously at a meeting, and the final results were myself for first time 3rd term President, Junior Alaon Maxwell as 2nd term Vice President, Junior Maddi Doro for Secretary, Junior Abby Montgomery and Sophomore Deja Trotman for Public Relations Directors, and Junior Angela Becker for Treasurer. It was a close call for all the positions, but I’m excited for what the new school year will bring with the new office.”
TJ Interact Director Danny Showers, who organized the entire event, also reached into his own pocket to pay for it. He said, “DPS didn’t tell me to do it, Rotary Club didn’t tell me to do it, I told myself to do it. I wanted to offer young students the experience of fine dining, and teach them about etiquette. We definitely raised the bar for next year, but progress generates change, so I’m excited for 2011-2012. It’ll be a great year, because I want to start off with the goal of recapturing the award we got in 2009-2010 of the best Interact Club in the district.”
To join Interact Club, students can contact Danny Showers in room 105 or by email at danny_showers@dpsk12.org.
