Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Recap

Chair Sean Nelson submitted this report:

The conference was bigger and better than ever! The three speakers we have at RYLA continue to amaze both the participants and staff. This year we again had Rick Metzger and Mia Fontaine and for the first time “Rachel’s Challenge”. This is arguably the best youth speaking lineup for any youth conference of any kind anywhere!

On Friday morning at the conferences Rick Metzger gets things started as the keynote speaker with “Gold Medals do not Make Champions”. Rick is a five-time gold medalist power lifter. Rick’s keynote is one of the best speakers I have ever heard in my life and his is truly a powerful message. Rick then conducts a three-and-a-half hour workshop on Friday afternoon on leadership styles, techniques, communications and teamwork. It is very interactive, educational and very informative. It is also a lot of fun.

Mia Fontaine and her mother co-authored a book, “comeback.” Mia’s message on Saturday morning is mainly an anti-drug message that also talks about the root cause of why people are prone to drug use as well as other self-destructive behaviors. Mia has a lot of people reach out to her at the conference and afterwards not only to help participants but to also help the participants help others they know and love. Her story is amazing and she inspires as well as empowers a lot of people to help themselves and others at their schools and in their communities.

Rachel Scott was the first person killed in the Columbine High School Massacre 10 years ago. Her father found her diary in her backpack after it was returned to him months after her death. It talked ominously of how she thought she would die young and violently. She felt she would somehow touch the lives of millions of people and set out to change the world before she died. Although she died before she could fulfill her mission her father took up the cause to see her dream come true. “Rachel’s Challenge” is about change at school and in the communities one person at a time. It is a message and program to help people know how and why to reach out to those in need. It is a very powerful message and presentation, and potentially life-changing.

We also had President Lincoln visit in March and President Teddy Roosevelt visit in April to talk about what they did as presidents and why good leadership is important. Camp Edwards is a perfect setting for RYLA with two low ropes courses and multiple team-building challenges throughout the camp for the small groups to accomplish together.

We had a record year for attendance, with 84 in March and 105 in April. Next year we are shooting for 100% club participation at RYLA.

I want to again thank all the clubs who sent students this year. This was my seventh year and I still have never met one participant who did not deserve to be there or who was not a pleasure to meet. I wish more Rotarians would come see what we do as a district at RYLA. AllRotarians are always welcome to come and visit for a session or a day! It is inspiring and motivating and truly wonderful to be a part of. We are making a big difference and having a profound effect on the lives of our future leaders.

I want to especially thank those clubs who helped sponsor participants who were not from their immediate service zone: Skokie Valley, Mt. Prospect/Prospect Heights, Mt. Prospect Sunrise and Park Ridge. All these clubs picked up additional students this year when we had students wanting to go who did not have sponsors. Thank you to Crystal Lake Dawnbreakers for always leading the way. They regularly send more students than any other club!

Special thanks to Lisa Nigro, Barb Regnitz and Tom Bookler, Rotarians who volunteered at RYLA and/or are on the RYLA 2010 planning committee.