Los Fresnos News

Making an Impact in the Community

Christian Alvarado alongside Mari Montelongo and Stan Petraitis. Two sponsors that attended the Rotaract Club banquette at the UTRGV campus in Brownsville.

Emilio Flores
Los Fresnos News

A former graduate from Los Fresnos CISD, Christian Alvarado, has been making big strides in the community. Alvarado was Vice President of Interact, a branch of Rotary International dedicated to students in Highschool.


Alvarado says he never really thought of joining Interact, or now Rotaract. Alvarado says that he was really drawn to the “Service about self” mentality. “It was there that I really came to love the ideas of Rotary and the Identity they instill in you,”


Alvarado says that upon graduating Highschool, he really wanted to continue to help the community. Alvarado then says that he found that they had a Rotaract club that was for College students at UTRGV. The problem was, the group seemed to quickly be going on the brinks. Alvarado says “I soon learned the Rotaract Club was on the verge of being suspended.”


Alvarado says that the Rotaract Club had been completely rebooted He also says that he felt up for the challenge having helped start up the Interact in Highschool from the ground up, he saw this as just another challenge. He said that once he heard of Rotaracts situation, Alvarado immediately stepped up. “I told them, I’m your guy!”


Alvardo quickly found favor and landed himself as president of the Rotaract club at UTRGV in Brownsville. He mentions that the group has been working closely with the other Rotary International Clubs in the surrounding area, including Brownsville, Los Fresnos, and Rancho Viejo.


Alvarado is lining his ducks in a row and laying the groundwork to spark interest and show students what Rotaract is all about. “We’re establishing the projects that we’ll be doing and continuing for the years to come,” He says serving the community is what Rotary International is all about and he wants to get students pumped in doing so.


On Friday, February 10th the Rotaract Club held a conference banquet in which they had a raffle for some Valentine’s gifts at the UTRGV Brownsville Campus. He says people were very happy about the banquet.
Christian Alvarado shares that they volunteered to help with the Los Fresnos Rodeo parking and VIP and they will also be at Sombrero Fest.


Los Fresnos News asked Mr. Alvarado what should draw people to the Rotaract and why should we care. He responded by saying, “I didn’t plan in being a Rotarian, nor do I know where life will take me,” But he says, “I know that the relationships and experiences I gain through Rotary, Rotaract, whatever it may be, will follow me wherever I may end up in life.” Alvarado says that “The relationships and the things you do last forever.”


Christian gives credit to his Interact club during high school, saying that he’s only gotten this far through Interact. Alvarado says, “And I just want to give everyone that same opportunity to get those connections.” He says, “Just like I did.”

Rotaract Students volunteer in planting trees at Olivera Park.