The Rotary Club of Paris United sponsored 12 Juniors from local High Schools and 2 student leaders from Paris Junior College to participate in RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) camp the weekend of February 22-24, 2019 in Athens, TX, along with approximately 90 other high school students from NE Texas. RYLA is an international program that was created by Rotary International to encourage strong leadership in youth. Young people selected for their leadership potential attend a weekend camp to develop and enhance leadership skills through activities conducted in an atmosphere of trust and respect.
During the camp the focus is on eight leadership characteristics: Integrity, Trust, Communication, Teamwork, Planning, Problem Solving, Decision Making and Self-Esteem. The local area students provided a report to the Paris United club at the Feb 28th lunch meeting. Each of the RYLA students provided a brief report on the benefit of the camp to them. All indicated the camp was valuable in developing leadership skills. Their RYLA Creed: “I am a RYLArian: Uncompromising integrity is my standard. My character and honor are steadfast. My word is my bond. I lead by example in all situations.
Student participation: Brayden Oats (Prairiland); Colleen Dawson, Jerika Johnson, Stoney Skelton, Jaden Franklin (North Lamar); Jason Cullum, Bailee Dawes, Hannah Hurst (Chisum); Luke Gibbons, Evan DeLaGarza, Keller Stripland, Skylar Coursey (Paris). Previous RYLA student members who assisted were Lucas Rolf and Jason Hadrava (PJC). The Paris United club member adult leaders were Stephanie Parker, Laura Spencer, Shawn Reeves.