Senator Fred Akshar (of the 52nd District) recently dropped into Keith Rosko’s Film Analysis class to name senior Cassidy Nowik as one of his Akshar’s All-Stars. Cassidy was recognized for her efforts to help start the Interact Club at the high school.
“That’s something I think we’re going to have here for ages because of how important it is,” said high school principal Steve Tronovitch. “So, that’s why we wanted to highlight you and what you’ve done through that process.”
The Interact Club was created in affiliation with our local Rotary Club. Cassidy helped start up the Interact Club in an effort to help fill the void left by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Cassidy would email me a lot in the summer and she was really vocal in trying to get the spirit of community back,” said Interact Club advisor Jason Motell.
Among its projects is the Homecoming Weekend bonfire, which returned to the school after many years.
In the future, the club plans to bring in a drunk driving prevention presentation and participate in a project that plants historically rare trees in schools and parks.
“So that way, as they grow, kids can learn about it and they can get educated on the past and the trees and how they’ve interacted in our culture,” Cassidy said.
As an Akshar All-Star, Cassidy was gifted a special t-shirt and certificate of achievement.
“What I love about your story is clearly you are accomplished academically, athletically and in other spaces, but the fact that you as a young woman have this desire to give back to your community and ensure that young people in school are active in their community, I really think speaks volumes to the kind of person that you are,” Senator Akshar said.
Cassidy also shared some words of advice.
“If you’re passionate about something, I would just go for it and continue doing what you love,” she said. “Even if it isn’t going your way exactly, you’ve just got to push through and do what you’re passionate about.”