The Cal Berkeley Rotaract Stayover is more than just an introduction to university life – it’s a transformative preview of the college experience that bridges that gap between high school and higher education.

The service-oriented program offers a unique, immersive look at life at the University of California, Berkeley. Nearly 60 students from Interact districts across Sacramento County and the Bay Area have the opportunity to learn about college readiness and what it means to be a leader in their communities.

What is Rotary and Interact?

Rotary is an international organization that is committed to global service and creating lasting change. Rotary seeks to unite communities and take action for a positive global impact. Guided by integrity and goodwill, members of the organization make it their mission to solve real problems.

High school Interact clubs are sponsored by Rotary and have a similar focus on leadership and community service. Through Rotary’s support, Interact clubs receive mentorship for their community projects, aiming to project the motto “Service Above Self” through club initiatives.

Unifying Interact to Rotaract

The Cal Rotaract organization at UC Berkeley organizes two themed Stayovers each year for high school Interactors to participate in, one in the fall and the other in the spring.

UC Berkeley Rotaract members Angel Munoz and Sherlyn Romero Bravo coordinated the Fall 2025 Monsters, Inc. Stayover on Nov. 8-9, dedicating their time to provide an unforgettable experience for all participants.

Romero Bravo and Munoz said the mission of the Stayover was to create a welcoming, supportive and informative experience for students in high school. As college students, they recognize that this is the first campus visit for many high school students – and therefore, a primary goal is to empower students by showcasing the possibilities available after high school.

“Through workshops on financial aid, college life, career exploration and campus resources, we aim to show students that higher education and UC Berkeley is an attainable and realistic option for them,” Munoz said.

Bridging the Opportunity Gap 

Recognizing that many first-generation and underrepresented students lack the mentorship and college exposure they need to succeed, Cal Rotaractors created the Stayover to provide an accessible opportunity for these students.

“The inspiration behind the event was to demystify college life by allowing students to experience it first hand,” Romero Bravo said. “Staying overnight, engaging with college mentors, and learning directly from students who were once in their position – this program is designed to reduce intimidation and replace it with confidence and curiosity about higher education.”

Since the fall Stayover is one of the largest Cal Rotaract events of the year, planning begins as early as the second week of the fall semester. In addition to its scale, the event requires involvement from a dedicated team of volunteers to take on specific roles such as workshop planning, application review, logistics coordination and activity development. 

Frida Vazquez was a college volunteer who contributed to the fall Stayover through planning and creativity, but she also served as a group leader for a cohort of high school students.

“I know how scary it is to jump from high school to college because that shift can be intimidating,” Vazquez said. “Holding this event has helped clear students’ minds when they don’t really know where to go in the future. Whether by going to campus to see the environment or maybe hearing other people’s experiences, I think overall we help students find their path easier and reduce the stress of the college transition.”

One of the main priorities during the Stayover were the lessons and advice shared by Berkeley students. Many of the high school students, including Silvercreek High senior Natalie Yuen, participated in workshops as well as Q&A panels to learn more about college academics and campus life.

“The student panel sessions really helped me define my academic goals for the future,” Yuen said. “I’m interested in going into biology, but I was unsure if med school was the right choice for me because I was worried about feeling burnt out. Even so, asking questions and having meaningful discussions with the college students helped me gain more clarity on my goals and pursuit of a biology career path.”

A Fun-filled Weekend

The Stayover also featured an engaging community service activity for high school students to bond with each other while serving a greater purpose. Students were inspired to bring the activity into their home Interact club.

“We hand-made dog blankets by tying fabric strips together and donated them,” Evergreen Valley freshman Shivani Kumar said. “I really enjoyed this activity since it fostered a collaborative environment, and we were motivated to work together to contribute towards a good cause. The project was also really insightful, so I brought blanket-making into my home club and used my experience to teach my Interact family about the process.”

Numerous college and high school students agreed that the highlight of the Stayover was the “Late Night Shenanigans” talent show that featured collaborative performances, where group leaders and their high school student participants showcased creative skits or dances.

“Seeing students who had only met a few hours earlier come together, collaborate, and confidently perform in front of an audience was incredibly impactful,” Romero Bravo said. “It demonstrated how quickly community and trust can be built when students feel supported, and it reflected the strong mentorship and guidance provided by our group leaders.”

Yuen said the show helped students bond and connect.

“The talent show was really funny, and also kind of embarrassing,” Yuen said. “It was a memorable time and definitely my highlight of the Stayover.”

The Stayover was an impactful event according to both college and high school participants. As both communities are driven by the motto of “Service Above Self,” they strengthened the Rotary family by sharing the commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of others.

“Having the Service Above Self mindset truly unlocks a deeper sense of compassion and refines your potential as a community leader,” Vazquez said. “Being open to helping people and getting to know them will always open doors of opportunities.”

The reporter was an Interact participant in the Stayover.