ROTARY YOUTH LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITY
The RI theme for May is YOUTH SERVICE and served as the context for programming planned and organized
by the POD #4 team for club meetings this month.
L to R: Joanne Serkeyn (RCL President-Elect); Lindsey Accadia (West Niagara Interact Club; Short Term Youth Exchange 2023); Tiana Sherback (West Niagara Interact Club; Foundation Scholarship Award Recipient 2023); Hazem Jebran (Jr. RYLA 2023); Bridget Olds (Jr. RYLA 2023); Missing Skye Balice (RYLA 2023)
Joanne Serkeyn took great pleasure in introducing the four young Rotary leaders in attendance. In turn, each took the opportunity to speak about their recent Rotary experience…
Bridget Olds - Blessed Trinity Catholic Secondary School
“I had made a deal with myself to get involved with as much as possible this year and make the most of my grade 11 year before I had to really focus on my studies and the marks I need to get into university.
Going into Jr. RYLA I really didn’t know what to expect, it was an opportunity I had heard about on the school announcements one morning. So, I heard about Jr. RYLA on the school announcements one morning and it’s really very vague - something about leadership awards. I’m not too sure what that means and what I knew about Rotary was minimal to say the least.
The time comes and the event takes place at Canterbury Hills, an absolutely beautiful camp. As someone who works at a local summer camp, Cave Springs, I can’t help but admire the site. There I found myself with 42 other fellow folks my age who had similar desires to get involved! And boy it did not disappoint.
I not only got to hear stories of the lives of my cabin mates, truly unique girls who had many leadership accomplishments of their own, but I also got to connect with the people attending JR RYLA as a greater whole in my colour group during the day. I made some great friends, some of which were from across Ontario and even upstate New York. And in the short time we had we were able to connect, attend an improv class and laugh together, share our experiences in a wellness meeting where we learned about how to act as great leaders.”
Hazem Jebran - St Catharines Collegiate
As a recent immigrant from Afganistan, Hazem lives in Beamsville but is attending St Catharines Collegiate where he is immersed in his ESL studies and an active member of the Interact Club. He joined Bridget in sharing highlights of his experience at Jr. RYLA 2023.
- Great to meet other people who demonstrated great passion for community
- Learned the meaning of “Service Above Self” and what it takes to be a leader
- Made lots of new friends
- Enjoyed the peace and beauty of Canterbury Hills
Hazem concluded by thanking Rotary for empowering youth and enabling them to improve their talent and station.
Tiana Sherback - West Niagara Secondary School
Tiana started her journey with Rotary as a parking volunteer. She attended SLAPSHOT (now Jr RYLA) in 2022…
“SLAPSHOT taught me how to be a strong leader and also lots of ways to take challenges with ease and precision - i.e. facing problems head on and solving one step at a time. The experience gave me tools to get through challenges along with numerous exercises and ways to pass my free time that benefit my mental strength and avoid getting burnt out.”
Throughout her senior year at high school, Tiana’s leadership been instrumental in the organization of the West Niagara Interact Club…
“Being a part of Interact Club is an opportunity that has greatly defined my high school experience. As we’ve been preparing for our fashion show fundraiser, there have been lots of complications…little things like forgetting to book the auditorium for rehearsal; not having members show up to sell tickets; or the cash box almost being misplaced. All these little mistakes taught me how to bounce back, and be better.
Working on a project that is for something more than yourself provides a type of fullness in your heart that can't be filled with anything other than giving back. I am grateful for the opportunity to say that the proceeds from our fashion show are going to help better our planet. Being able to work for a better cause is an irreplaceable reward that you can't get with any other school club.
Parking duty led to SLAPSHOT, which led to the Interact Club. I can’t wait to see what Rotary will allow me to do next.”
Lindsey Accadia - West Niagara Secondary School
Lindsey began by sharing her excitement about her upcoming Rotary Youth Exchange, which is taking her to Munich, Germany for 3 weeks in July. The Accadia family will reciprocate by hosting a young member of Lindsey’s German host family in August.
In her experience as President of the inaugural West Niagara Interact Club, Lindsey explained that ‘staying the course’ was really important as she provided the leadership necessary to rally club members to put on their first fundraiser in support of The Ocean Cleanup. While there were lots of organizational issues, Lindsey expressed her pride in the club for overcoming pitfalls in order for the fashion show to happen on May 23 & 24 (two shows). The production itself involves some 20 students - designers, models, announcers, lighting & sound technicians, etc. At $3 per ticket, total sales = $214.
Following this segment, Joanne proudly presented Lindsey with a $500 cheque from Lincoln Rotary to help cover her expenses as a youth exchange student.
Last but not least, Joanne's daughter, Skye Balice, provided a letter to the club with her comments on her RYLA 2023 experience...
"I’d like to thank the Rotary Club for allowing me to attend the RYLA conference in Derby, New York. It was a wonderful experience that I would not have been able to attend without your generosity.
The updated RYLA conference followed an unexpected layout, however it was completely appreciated and welcomed. It provided a safe space for individuals who lean towards leadership roles to learn how to work with others like them. It is knowledge I will take with me into my future employment endeavors, especially in fields where the majority of those around me are headstrong and bold. While the time we had was limited, our leaders, Matt and Sarah, made sure we underwent activities meant to expand our view of the world around us. The insight into different forms of wellness and the different methods of application will be something I will use throughout my life going forward.
I fully recommend sending other students to this program, however it is important to make sure they understand that the word “conference” in the title is not an accurate descriptor. It is a far more casual setting, a place for growth and discussion instead of notes and meetings. I met some lovely and interesting people with similar ideals despite us having grown up in vastly difference experiences. It was nice to listen as well as to share, to have conversation flow naturally and without fear of others not understanding you.
To conclude, RYLA was a wonderful experience and I fully recommend sending others. It was exciting, interesting, and the amount of work poured into it is fully apparent. I hope in the future you are able to send other young adults to enjoy this experience. Thank you again and have a lovely summer."
Joanne wrapped up the program by offering heartfelt thanks to all the young leaders. She announced that the chartering of the West Niagara Interact Club will be undertaken by the Rotary Club of Grimsby and Rotary Club of Lincoln as co-sponsors for the new club. Timing of the chartering is scheduled to take place before the end of this school year in order to celebrate Tiana, Lindsey & other members who are graduating and moving on to university.
.png)
