At our May 26 meeting, the Rotary Club of St. Marys was proud to welcome five outstanding students from DCVI who recently attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) seminar held at Western University. Each student brought energy, insight, and a deep sense of purpose to their presentations, sharing what they learned from this intensive leadership experience. Their reflections were thoughtful, inspiring, and a clear sign that the future of leadership is in good hands.
Presenters included:
Sayrel Barba
Georgia Edwards
Abby Houston
Andrew Nanephosy
Clara (Rotary Youth Exchange student from Belgium)
Ramley Snider (was unable to attend)
These students attended the RYLA Seminar for Tomorrow's Leaders, an immersive weekend program filled with team challenges, leadership development workshops, and community service planning. Throughout their presentations, a few strong themes stood out:
Teamwork under pressure – From navigating obstacle courses blindfolded to problem-solving with limited tools, students learned how to communicate effectively and adapt quickly.
Leadership as service – Many spoke about how leadership is not about control, but about enabling others to thrive and succeed.
Inspiration from mentors – Guest speakers at RYLA shared personal journeys that reinforced the value of resilience, self-belief, and taking initiative.
Creative expression – Whether through skits, song, or group presentations, the students brought energy and originality to the final showcase.
Future focus – Several participants expressed interest in taking on leadership roles back at school, inspired by what they learned.
“Leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about helping others succeed,” one student shared, capturing the spirit of RYLA beautifully.
The club was deeply impressed by the maturity and enthusiasm these students brought to the evening. We look forward to seeing the continued impact of their leadership in our community.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) aligns most strongly with these three Rotary Areas of Focus:
1. Basic Education and Literacy
RYLA enhances leadership education by teaching communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. Students grow in confidence, learn new skills, and are encouraged to think critically and creatively.
✅ Why it fits: RYLA fosters learning through hands-on activities, public speaking, and self-reflection.
2. Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
RYLA helps young leaders develop empathy, cultural awareness, and strategies for peaceful conflict resolution—key to building more tolerant and inclusive communities.
✅ Why it fits: Participants often mention how they learned to work with diverse people, manage differences, and build positive relationships.
3. Community Economic Development (indirectly)
While RYLA isn't about economics, it empowers youth to become proactive citizens who may later initiate or support community-building projects that contribute to local development.
✅ Why it fits: Some students leave RYLA inspired to lead service projects, mentor peers, or take on school council roles—building leadership capacity in their communities.