Grosse Pointe South students Oliver Lardner and Alyssa Czech were the guest speakers at the Feb. 15 evening meeting of Grosse Pointe Rotary. They talk abouted their RYLA experience.
 
Richard Yeager-Stiver, the Interact Club Chair, provided some background about RYLA, which stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. In our District, it is a two-day event held in November at Schoolcraft College. Through group activities and speakers, RYLA’s intent is to encourage students to be more effective leaders. Areas of focus surrounding the topic of leadership are 1) its fundamentals, 2) ethics, 3) the importance of communication skills, 4) conflict management and problem solving, and 5) community and global citizenship.
 
In additional to the friendships that both students established at the event (198 attendees), Oliver walked away with an appreciation as to what being a leader actually is.  In the two clubs Oliver helps run at South, the leadership skills learned have been incorporated by giving members more responsibility and making them feel a part of the clubs.  Alyssa hopes to utilize what she learned as an editor for the school newspaper and as a captain on her sports teams.  She learned that you need to build personal relationships with those you are leading and walked away from the event feeling empowered, inspired, and optimistic.
 
All are invited to this year’s RYLA which will take place from 11/16/17 to 11/18/17 at Schoolcraft College.
 
(Photos by George R. McMullen Jr.)