Rotary District 7770’s inaugural leadership development program for young people – held in mid-June at Columbia College – was a rousing success, according to David Boucher, who represented Capital Rotary Club at the event.
“We had 48 rising high school juniors and seniors attending RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) training for the first time ever in our district,” Boucher said. “The dorm rooms were comfy, the food was outstanding and I think the kids got a lot out of the event. As a matter of fact, 28 of the juniors asked to be considered as counselors for next year.”
While RYLA participants can be any age, most programs focus on students or young professionals who come together for several days of presentations, activities and workshops on a variety of topics such as leadership fundamentals and ethics; communication skills; problem solving and conflict resolution; and community and global citizenship.
The district RYLA focused on leadership activities and teamwork projects. Students also took part in a service project to fill 30 backpacks with miscellaneous articles that could be given to homeless persons in the Chapin area.
Key coordinator of the event was Michaele Lemrow from Richland School District Two, a member of the Spring Valley Rotary Club, assisted by a number of volunteers who led presentations and exercises.