02 Jun 2023 Youth of the Month: Rotary Youth Leadership Awards

Posted at 7:38 PMh in Neighbors by

By Becky Bell

Relying on others to hold a rope as you rock climb and canoeing blindfolded while being guided by a partner may sound like unusual ways to promote leadership, but these are just a few ways young people grow as leaders at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), an annual camp.

Gleb Shevchenko had to depend on teammates for balance during one of many activities that taught campers to work together for success. He attends Conway High School, and July marks one year since his family moved to Conway from Ukraine.

Conway Noon Rotary Club sponsored five students from Faulkner County to attend the event, which took place from April 13-16 at the Vines 4-H Center in Little Rock. Students were chosen by their school counselors based on their leadership qualities.

Daniel Trusty, Emma Allison, Olivia Keisling, Gleb Shevchenko and Sydney Phillips joined 48 other teens from Rotary District 6170 for three days of team-building activities. In addition to rock climbing and canoeing, students also participated in the giant ladder, team wall, high ropes course, capture the flag, a talent show, dancing and financial literacy education.

“RYLA is a leadership training program that enhances a community’s youth [by teaching] leadership and communication skills while breaking them out of their comfort zones. It also encourages service above self,” said Wendy Francis, president of the Conway Noon Rotary Club. 

Emma Allison (left canoe, back seat) loved rock climbing and enjoyed canoeing. She attends St. Joseph High School.

“RYLA gives students the confidence to spread their ideas of impact to the community and world while becoming life changers in the lives of those they come into contact with,” she said, referring to a Rotary website. Rotary International’s motto is “Service above self.”

Each of the students had a unique experience and their own thoughts on which activity most taught them leadership.

Trusty is an honor student at St. Joseph High School and a most valuable player on the basketball team. He said the rock wall and rope ladder activities helped him learn to trust others the most. “You really didn’t have a choice but to trust the people because if you fall, you fall,” he said. “Communication with my partner was key to getting up the ladder.”

Allison, also of St. Joseph High, is a community volunteer at St. Joseph Catholic Church and participates in swimming, soccer and basketball. She said her favorite activity, which scared her the most, was rock climbing. Allison said that it took place 20 to 25 feet in the air and was “nerve-wracking” and “very, very fun.”

“It was definitely about teamwork, and it helped me meet a lot more people,” Allison said. “We learned to use our leadership skills in different ways. I am still in touch with some of the people I went to camp with. They live in Magnolia (Lafayette County). This helped everyone step out of their comfort zone.”

Keisling, also from St. Joseph High, plays basketball and soccer and runs cross country. The honor student said she expected the camp to be mostly lectures but was pleasantly surprised to find it included many outdoor activities and the youth learned from participation. She said ziplining and an obstacle course with ropes and tires, where others had to help her along the way, were her favorite activities.

“I think it taught me to step up and encourage others, and to … be a leader because I’ve always been hesitant to do that.”

Shevchenko attends Conway High School and has lived in Arkansas (and in the U.S.) for nearly a year. He said the camp was helpful to him because even though he speaks four languages — English, Czech, Russian and Ukrainian — he can be hesitant to start a conversation. “The camp helped my leadership skills through communication, speech, creativity and working in groups,” Shevchenko said. “My self-confidence grew. Communication with other people helps with confidence.”

Five youths from Faulkner County were chosen by the Conway Noon Rotary Club to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp at the 4-H Center in Little Rock in April. Gleb Shevchenko (from left), Daniel Trusty, Olivia Keisling, Emma Allison, Shelby Phillips and Noon Rotary Club President Wendy Francis.

The final camper from Faulkner County is an honor student and community volunteer who attends Morrilton High School. Phillips said she also participates in competitive dance and tends to lose her shyness on stage. However, when dealing with people one-on-one, they notice she is shy. Being able to have a partner for the canoeing exercise helped her develop a friendship and helped her trust someone. “I think it will help me get out of my shell more and talk to people,” she said.