The Rotary Club of Beaumont celebrated the high school students who attended the three-day Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp on January 10 - 12. The meeting program was facilitated by Rotary Club of Beaumont RYLA chair, Gigi Sotolongo Mazzola. President Michael H. Perez provided an overview of RYLA which is conducted by every district throughout Rotary International. The District 5910 RYLA event is led by Michael Perez and was supported by over 100 volunteers including Rotarians, Rotarian spouses, Rotoractors, and RYLA alums. The program provides activities that promote team building, leadership development, and ethics based around the Rotary 4-Way Test.

Gigi provided information about her experience at RYLA, and the importance of clubs throughout the district to continue to support the program financially and by serving as volunteers. Gigi mentioned appreciation of fellow RCOB dedicated members, Diane Thompson, co-chair, Pat Anderson, who borrowed his church bus to provide transportation for campers, Kevin Reed, who delivered the trailer of suitcases, Mellie Bevilacqua who drove late arrivers to camp, and Tim Sudela, who blessed all with endless photographs taken throughout the weekend, then hauled the suitcase trailer back to Beaumont.

Fallon Morrow, one of sixteen students sponsored by the RCOB, provided a wonderful tribute to the RYLA weekend and to the Rotarians who generously sponsored the event. A Monsignor Kelly Catholic High School student, Ms. Morrow was one of more than 250 high school juniors throughout District 5910 who attended the camp.