RYLA Students Share Their Experiences

(From left to right) RYLA Chair Jason Beever, RYLA students; Sarah Terrano and Connor Blake from WHS; Kara Ellsmore from Gorham High School; Dr. Bruce Dyer Interact Advisor WHS; and Harold Thomas, RYLA selection committee.  Three other students were not able to join us including GHS students: Noah Bird and James Benson.

 

                      

 

Each year, a small group of W-G Rotarians reviews applications and interviews students from Westbrook and Gorham High Schools to select up to three candidates from each school to attend RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards).  While many RYLA attendees are members of their local Interact Club, not all have that opportunity.  The goals of Interact (and also RYLA) include developing leadership skills and personal integrity, demonstrating helpfulness and respect for others, understanding the value of individual responsibility and hard work, and advancing international understanding and goodwill.

 

Each students spoke about their life changing experience during the 3 day program at Camp Hinds, which involves many social and physical team building activities. Kara told us that RYLA was about making relationships and helping others on your team through the challenges. Connor spoke about meeting new people and successfully facing an obstacle course as a team; like figuring out how to get all team members over the 12’ climbing wall.  Sarah commented that speaking in front of people was outside of her comfort zone, but an introduction exercise during which a ball was passed to each speaker was great and helped her overcome that fear (and she did well in front of us!).

 

As we have heard from previous attendees, RYLA is a great and often life-changing experience. We look forward to promoting RYLA at both schools for the upcoming year.  Ideas for “getting the word out” to a broader audience about this great program are welcome (speak to Jason or Hal).