Posted by Christina Harris on May 25, 2024
What an incredible RYLA weekend! It was awesome to see these young leaders step out of their comfort zones, make new friends, and gain invaluable skills. Despite the rainy and chilly weather, the enthusiasm and engagement of 50+ teenagers from all across our District and 7950 was inspiring (and we loved having 7950 join us)!
 
We are all so proud of our returning RYLA Alumni - they trained for 4 hours a month for 6 months to prepare - they absolutely crushed it as Family Leaders!! The RYLA Lead Team, Rotaractors, Rotarians and other volunteers worked so hard to provide a fun, engaging and safe environment for growth to happen - you all inspire me by your hard work, wisdom, dedication. You are AWESOME (and for the record, I’m really going to miss seeing each of you on a regular basis!!). Thank you, thank you, thank you!
 
A huge THANK YOU to our clubs for providing the financial support! If you sponsored a student, please reach out to them and invite them to your club so you can hear all about the impact you are having firsthand! If you let us know when they are presenting, we will try to join you. Also, thank you to clubs and friends who provided funding for kids from other communities, made donations or purchased items off of our Amazon wish list (or who let us borrow 7 space heaters. And last but not least, thank you so much to DG Lori for dropping by and participating in events Friday evening. It was so great to have you join us!!
Watching these teens gain confidence, unlock their potential and get fired up about being leaders was truly amazing. I know this experience will have a life-long, positive impact (on all of us).
 
As I always say, I really do have the best job in the District!