Students who attended the camp pose for a group shot. [Photos by Jayden Magnussen with The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program]]

***Jayden Magnussen is a participant of The Kewanee Voice Student Journalism Program, funded by the Harry Anderson Memorial Trust

On Friday afternoon Rotarion John Hauck chauffeured three Wethersfield High School students to the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program at Lake Williamson in Carlinville, Ill.  

Over this weekend program Alisha Chaidez, Addison Wisecup and Jayden Magnussen participated team building activities, outdoor challenges, presentations from guest speakers and a small-group time where they each learned a significant trait a leader should possess. 

Students from 25 schools all over the state attended this program. These students were nervous once they first arrived, but by the end of it nobody was ready to say goodbye. 

The students heard presentations from Rotary speakers.

Students also split into five groups of 13 people, where these connections really started to take place. 

Each group learned about integrity, teamwork, exchange and more. 

Participant Chaidez said, “I am incredibly happy that I got the opportunity and went to RYLA. It was a great experience! I learned a lot about being a leader and teamwork. I met many great people and got to meet individuals from different countries.” 

Rotary International — a global organization dedicated to community service, leadership and making positive impacts — funds RYLA and organizes the program. Local Rotary clubs will select and pay for students to attend. 

“RYLA was an amazing learning experience,” said participant Magnussen, “and I hope that anyone who may be interested in it continues to learn about it and attend. I met many new friends, even exchange students from around the world. I even learned applicable skills that I can take back with me and apply them to the real world, allowing me to be able to help others in the process.”

Participants received official T-shirts.

Participants also learned about the Youth Exchange Program and the Interact club. Rotary International provides the most affordable youth exchange program, while even being able to apply for scholarships to lower the expenses even more. This exchange takes place over August to July, an 11-month program, where students travel the world and learn about other cultures and opportunities in the world. 

Interact is the youth service club that is sponsored by Rotary International. This club empowers high schoolers to lead projects, help in their communities, and build leadership skills. 

Chaidez and Magnussen will be attending the weekly Kewanee Rotary meeting on April 14 to share their experience to local Rotarians. 

Group leader of exchange, Neeki, said that participating in RYLA was one of the best decisions she’s made to date.

“It was a whole weekend of meeting others and having fun, learning about youth exchange and being educated on Rotary international and their amazing impact on the world,” she said.