RYLA

Time of Year: May

RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is part of Rotary's ongoing commitment to supporting youth. Awards are based not only on academic standing but on demonstrated contribution and leadership benefiting the community, school, or other organizations. RYLA winners attend an annually organized conference where they spend close to four days in intensive interaction with other award winners, session leaders, speakers from businesses, the professions, the arts, or simply with remarkable individuals who have had unique experiences which provide insight into the broadest meaning of what it is to be a leader. The RYLA Conference has been declared time after time, by those who attend, an unforgettable experience which encourages students to build upon their leadership qualities in order to make a meaningful contribution to their communities and their country.

Youth ages 16 to 18, who are full time students in Grade 10, 11 or 12, and who demonstrate outstanding leadership skills are eligible for the award, your local Rotary Club decides if they want to make this opportunity available to students from your local community, they choose the award winner(s) and they pay the registration fee for every student.

Each Rotary Club will set in place a means to select the most deserving recipient in their locality. This may mean an essay submission, public speaking invitation, or formal nomination and application process posted in local schools in the Rotary Club's area. You may choose an interview process carried out by a committee of Rotarians looking for present achievements and a potential for leadership abilities in the future. Generally students are selected on their overall leadership aptitudes, not just their academic results. Some clubs work closely with the counsellors at school. Often educators are eager to recommend worthy candidates.

 

Visit our District webpage to learn more about RYLA.