One of the goals of Rotary is to help young people develop their leadership abilities and self-confidence to the fullest. To that end, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program was developed by Rotary International to encourage strong leadership in youth. Young people chosen for their leadership potential attend an all-expense-paid camp where they are inspired by a diverse group of exceptional speakers. The students discuss leadership, service and career opportunities and exchange ideas about current ethical and social issues with their speakers and facilitators. The students enhance their leadership skills and personal development through activities conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect.
RYLA began in Rotary District 5340 for the students in San Diego and Imperial Counties in 1972 with 100 participants and has since grown to include more than 350 participants annually. Outstanding student leaders are chosen each year to participate in RYLA’s three-day leadership camp held at Idyllwild Pines Camp in Idyllwild, California.
The Coronado Rotary Club is proud to have sponsored 14 high school juniors who attended the camp leadership program from April 7 to April 9. The students completed an application and interview process and were highly recommended by school personnel for their community service and leadership activities. There were seven students selected from Coronado High School and seven students chosen from Mar Vista High School in Imperial Beach.
Coronado Rotary members recognized the students for their achievements at a recent Rotary meeting. Students reflected on their experiences. They expressed how much they learned from speakers who inspired them to work hard to reach their goals, and to do what they can to make their lives and those of others the best they can be. The young people said it was amazing to be at such a beautiful campsite spending time with other students who (as one student exclaimed) “want to make the world a better place – not just me but a whole group of us!”
RYLA provides a memorable opportunity to learn, grow and have fun, while making new friends along the way. Those who attend a RYLA program often return to their schools and communities motivated to take on additional leadership roles and to find additional ways to serve.
The Coronado Rotary Club will be sponsoring students for RYLA’s 2018 program. RYLA 2018 will occur April 20th to April 22nd. The request for Coronado and Mar Vista high school applications will begin in January 2018.
The 2017 Rotary Leadership Award Students are: From Coronado High School: Myles Manning, Yannick Peterhans, Sophia Quast, Emma Sandke, Nayalina Tamariz, Isabella Wagner, and Jack Wood . From Mar Vista High School: Van Brown, Maciel Duverge, Ian Jackson, Trevor Quinlan, Adam Yoshinaga, Catlyn Castillo, and Ariana Montreuil.
Also acknowledged for their support were Mar Vista RYLA Coordinator, Edrey Ladesma and Counselor Lizzette Torres Mathews, and Coronado RYLA Coordinator Kathy Redding, and Assistant Principal and COSA Director Shane Schmeichel., Coronado Rotary RYLA facilitators Jason Anderson, Christine Williams, Chris Keys, and Orit Ostrowiak. Christina Curtin was Committee Chair Ivan Dunn’s “right hand person” and will become the Chair next year. A special thank you to Rotarian Earl Pool who helped expand the program to Mar Vista and increase the number of students that can be sent to camp.
