RYLA Students Share Their Experience
For 2017, Lewisville Noon Rotary Club sent four Lewisville High School students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) held at Texas Woman's University in Denton. Each student was selected for their current leadership initiative, potential for growth, and involvement in academic, extra-curricular, and civic activities.
During the August 16th regular meeting, the RYLA students, Sarah Elliott, Bridget Gilmore, Matthew Jimenez, and Braden Kajs, shared their RYLA experience with members of the Lewisville Noon Rotary Club. They all shared what an amazing experience RYLA was for them and how it has shaped their thinking on leadership, communications, relationships, and the importance of listening to all voices at the table.
More about RYLA...
[The following comes from the District 5790 RYLA page.]
What: An intensive leadership development program developed in 1971 by Rotary International for youth leaders.
When: June 14th – 17th, 2018
Where: Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas
Who: Students must be a high school junior or senior in the fall of 2018. Students must be between the ages of 16 and 18. Students should meet the following qualifications:
- Leadership experience or potential, demonstrated through participation in youth group or service activities
- Cooperative nature and willingness to participate in a group
- Awareness of current events
- Strong communication skills
- Good performance in school and work
- Enthusiasm for sharing newly found skills
The RYLA Program is led in a professional, collegiate atmosphere where participants will:
- Develop leadership skills through experiential and fun activities
- Increase self-confidence and enhance teamwork skills through participation in challenge course exercises
- Learn proper social and business etiquette while participating in a formal dinner event
- Observe how city government operates while participating in a mock City Council meeting
- Expand their civic and patriotic skills in ethics and responsibility classes
- Learn about the purpose and objectives of Rotary International while attending a Rotary club meeting
- Learn about the Rotary Four Way Test
- Participate in a community service project
- Participate in a global political exercise called Promises, Promises
RYLA aims to:
- Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for young people.
- Provide leadership concepts for selected youth leaders
- Encourage leadership of youth by youth
- Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities.
RYLA provides:
- An introduction of a variety of issues and people
- An opportunity to make new friends.
- RYLA is FUN!!