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BCC hosts Rotary Youth Leadership Award Events at Camp Aldrich
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Students participating in the 2011 RYLA camp include, left to right, front row, Miranda Clark, Russell; Kellan Ziegelmeier, Colby; Cassidy Turley, Beloit; Samuel Kline-Martin, Ellinwood; Emily Leiker, Hays; Kayla Schartz, Ellinwood; Ashli Tucker, Lyons; Carly Gassman, Abilene; Brittni Hayes, Russell; and Elizabeth Wellman, Goodland; middle row, Pat Cale, Great Bend Rotary; Janet Siebert, Ark City Chamber of Commerce; Nolan Watson, Beloit; Matthew Martin, Salina; Adam Urban, Hays; Bryan Otott and Chase Wilkens, both of Washington; Mauricio Uribe, Great Bend; Anastasia Weissenbach, Abilene; Brandi Schneider, Great Bend; and Bryce McClung, Hays; back row, Tyler Shields, Oberlin; Matthew Helm, Norcatur; Ryan Krajicek, Salina; Morgan Krier, Beloit; Andy Wood, Colby; Hanna Pfannenstiel, Hays; Mikaela Dorshorst, Oberlin; Victoria Ptacek, Russell; Wally Eldridge, Great Bend Rotary. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

Barton Community College hosted the annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp July 29-30 at Camp Aldrich. The camp is sponsored by Rotary District 5670 for high school juniors and seniors within the district who are nominated and sponsored by their local Rotary Clubs.

RYLA is a worldwide program that provides future leaders the opportunity to expand and hone their leadership skills. It enables young people to debate issues of professional responsibility and human relations, improve leadership and communication skills, and meet Rotarians while having fun and making friends.

During the camp, participants heard from special speakers and went through the Camp Aldrich ABLE course, interacting with RYLA participants from across the state. Social activities during the camp included an ice cream social, a karaoke party, and lunch with their families on the last day of camp.

"I’ve been with this leadership camp from the beginning, since 2001," said Odetta Marietta, past district governor of RYLA. "It pleases me greatly to see the skills and educational benefits these young people derive from this camp."

The core curriculum of the camp comprises Fundamentals of Leadership; Ethics of Leadership; Importance of Community Skills in Effective Leadership; Problem Solving and Conflict Management; Rotary’s Purpose and Service to the Community; Building Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem; and Elements of Community and Global Citizenship.

Rotary District 5670 comprises 31 clubs located in the northwest quarter of the state. Students came from as far west as Goodland and as far east as Washington.

"I encourage all of the Rotary Clubs in the district to send as many young people from their area to this camp as the club can afford. They will be greatly rewarded," Marietta said.