The RYLA weekend was successfully run this past weekend for the first time in person since COVID struck. RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. It is a conference where teens learn leadership and team building. It was back at Camp Rotary in Boxford after having been moved to a camp in NH for several years before the pandemic. Camp Rotary has completed renovations and the RYLA team was happy to be able to run the weekend locally. Reading is proud to have sponsored 6 RYLA participants: 4 from Austin; 1 from North Reading High; and 1 from Reading High. In addition, we sponsored two returning "seniors," former RYLARIANS who help run the show. Those were Allie Foley and Katherine Growney.
Christina Harris, Rotarian from Ipswich-Rowley, is the RYLA Chair for our District. There was so much work that went into this year's RYLA. It was a struggle to get it back on its feet after pandemic-related shutdown.
We are inviting the RYLA students to come to a meeting to tell us about their experiences. We look forward to hearing from them. If anyone in the club finds this of interest, the RYLA and Interact (Rotary for high school aged students) teams are looking for help. Let Sheila, John or Tim know and we'll put you in touch with the right people.