The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs is now accepting applications for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program, an all-expense-paid leadership experience for local high school students. Applications are open to current 10th- and 11th-graders and must be submitted by March 13 at 6pm.
RYLA is a life-changing leadership training program where young people learn, develop, and enhance leadership skills and principles in an atmosphere of trust and respect. RYLA encourages and assists current and potential youth leaders in methods of responsible and effective leadership.
Many past RYLArians claim, “It was the best week of my life!”
Generally, applicants selected have excelled in one or more areas of high school involvement and have potential or proven leadership experience.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary’s leadership training program for high school students freshmen through seniors. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth, and aims to:
- Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for youth
- Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
- Encourage leadership of youth by youth
- Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities
So what do we do at RYLA?
At RYLA, you’ll explore leadership styles and topics like ethical leadership, promoting peace, and social justice. You’ll experience this largely through experiential outdoor learning with activities like:
- Orienteering
- Low Ropes Courses
- Group Activities
Through each of these events, you’ll explore your own leadership style and learn how to work together with a team.
Scholarship recipients are expected to represent Pagosa Springs positively, give a brief presentation to the Pagosa Springs Noon Rotary Club and volunteer at at least one Rotary-sponsored event following the retreat.
Students interested in applying can find the application at https://tinyurl.com/w7p63uz9.
More information about the program is available at rylaintherockies.org.
For questions, students may contact Elise Mariner at elise.mariner@ gmail.com. The Rotary Club of Pagosa Springs encourages motivated students to apply and take part in this transformative leadership opportunity.