RYLA Students Speak to Liberty Rotary About Their Experience
Our RYLA recipient students came to speak at our July 17th meeting. They reported that one of the key goals of the conference was to make everyone feel like they could be themselves in a judgement free zone. Many reported that this feeling of total acceptance built confidence and comfort so that they were able to interact with others and speak to larger groups. From this, many reported that they would be able to be better leaders because they can converse with strangers and establish relationships that will help build teamwork.
All reported that they made many new friends and gained higher self-confidence. One conferee stated “It brings you out of you shell and allows you to make acquaintances more easily”. Another student said that she learned that she did not always have to conform to what others want you to be. They felt a big family was created very quickly.
The games were a big hit with those we sent and revealed to the attendees a lot about who they were as individuals. They claim to have learned that they are all more leaders than they realized.
They feel that they have a duty to promote the RYLA experience and let fellow students know that it is not a “nerd camp”.
A number of those that spoke confirmed that they would be willing to step up and assist in making Liberty Interact a more successful program in our high school.
