Katelyn Gendron, currently with WEX, was a Westbrook-Gorham Rotary-sponsored 2003 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) participant and is a 2005 graduate of WHS.  For her, RYLA was truly a life changing experience where she learned a lot about herself, including finding her passion for helping others achieve their goals.  She was so impressed with RYLA, that she went back as a facilitator from 2004-2007.  After college in Florida, an MBA, and a career start, she returned as a facilitator in 2015 and is now on the Advisory Staff of the program.  She also volunteers with Junior Achievement.
 
Katelyn (right) at RLYA 2003
 
When preparing to speak to us, she asked herself “What is RYLA’s secret sauce?”  She identified three key components:  1) The amazing location at Camp Hinds, in the woods away from electronic devices; 2) Meeting new people from across Maine and New Hampshire, people with whom you have no history, kind of a clean slate; and 3) The caliber of those people – staff and students.
 
RYLA is about “doing”, but is also about “discussing”.  They tackle team challenges using a common model that looks at accomplishing a task through a good, ethical process that leads to positive relationships.   RYLA cultivates a personal growth mindset, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity.  Fundamentally, RYLA is a scholarship program in leadership training.
 
Our Club is proud to have sponsored Katelyn 13 years ago, and continues to be committed to sponsoring several students each year.   To qualify, students must be completing their Sophomore year of high school, complete the RYLA application, and complete an interview. Time is running short, but RYLA applications can be obtained from WHS or GHS Guidance, or by contacting the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club.
 
L-R: Hal Thomas W-G Rotary RYLA Selection Committee
Katelyn Gendron - RYLA 2003 & RYLA Advisory Staff
Phil Giordano - President 2015-2016 Scarborough Rotary
& District RYLA Chair
Jason Beever - W-G Rotary President-Elect &
RYLA Selection Committee