Rotary presents Youth Leadership Awards

Westlake-Bay Village Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) recipients: John Poole, Ellie LaMotte, Natalie Hazapis and Jake Collins.

Westlake-Bay Village Rotary congratulates this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipients: John Poole, Natalie Hazapis, Jake Collins (Westlake High School) and Ellie LaMotte (Bay High School). Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) is one of Rotary International’s structured programs designed to reach out to the community fostering fellowship and goodwill.

Camp RYLA is a five-day leadership training camp held in June, which focuses on personal and professional development of high school students. Rotary clubs throughout the world are committed to helping shape the leadership skills of today’s youth. RYLA is one way Rotarians achieve this goal. Strong leaders are made, not born. Leadership principles are learned, not inherited.

Through Camp RYLA, the participants, the “leaders of tomorrow,” have the unique opportunity to be exposed to many facets of leadership by individuals who have already learned to be leaders in their professions or fields. Camp RYLA is an enjoyable and valuable experience for those who can meet the challenge. Goals of Camp RYLA: 1.) Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth; 2.) Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders; 3.) Encourage leadership of youth by youth; 4.) Publicly recognize young people who are providing service to their communities.

Camp RYLA provides participants with an opportunity to exchange ideas, opinions, and beliefs with other students in a relaxed, retreat style setting. Participants develop new friendships and become a more effective role model, team player and leader.