This past Monday, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club and guests gathered on Zoom to greet several senior leaders of Rotary’s Youth Leadership team RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) program.
Several of the senior leaders reported on how RYLA is surviving and thriving during the pandemic. Our club supports and sponsors the worldwide (RYLA) program and its mission. Run by students for students, RYLA is an intensive leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs and districts where kids can develop their skills as leaders and build their confidence while having fun.
Begun in Australia in 1971, RYLA has expanded across the globe. Its mission is to teach our future leaders how to handle obstacles they will face in the real world. RYLA participants learn the values and benefits of leadership, motivation, goal setting and decision making while developing confidence and self-esteem.
Past RYLA students have spoken of how the RYLA experience has helped them to learn how to exchange ideas and work together while having fun. Many have developed lasting friendships and say they have learned lessons in life they could not have experienced anywhere else.
Traditionally, high school sophomores throughout our District 7255 apply for Spring RYLA in Riverhead. Summer RYLA is a two-week away conference.
Our club encourages participation from sophomores from both Garden City and Mineola high schools. Parents of sophomores who would like information about how their students may register for future RYLA may call Diane Marmann, club president at 516-742-8340 to receive the link or for more information about RYLA.
—Submitted by the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club
