By Yves Cotterill I know what you’re all thinking, what the heck is RYLA? I guess in order for you to apply I have to tell you don’t I? RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and it sounds kinda boring I know. But trust me, RYLA is the opposite of boring. I applied for RYLA because I heard that it would look good when applying to colleges, but I got so much more than looking good on paper. I received lifelong best friends, memories that will forever rest with me, and some pretty intense leadership values. I spent six days with 14 random teens from all around Iowa, a wonderful counselor and one awesome Rotarian. These 16 people have made a huge impact on my life, and we were only together for six days; imagine what they could have done if they had more time. RYLA was located at Grinnell college, which meant we got to stay in their dorms. The campus is such a pretty place, and you get to go all over it, and in so many different buildings.
On the first day of RYLA I was very wary of what I had signed myself up for, there were easily 400 boys and girls there. They started us out doing super boring ice breakers that no one likes, but it was actually enjoyable. I got the chance to meet some pretty cool people, and some people I already knew. I was one of the two kids from Mount Vernon that attended that week, I at first was scared that I wouldn’t know anyone. But after an hour I had already made friends. I was immediately thrown into a group of 14 random individuals. I tried to act like someone who wasn’t me, I wanted to impress them so badly. Now you’re asking why, why would I do that? Because these were new people, who had all been chosen by their Rotary to be here. There was something about them that made them stand out enough to be here. I was worried they would be better than me, but we were all identical. We were chosen because we showed abilities to become great leaders. All 400 of us were there for the same reason, we wanted to become better people and better leaders for our communities.
I walked into the gathering room and was hit with a sense of familiarity, this place felt warm. I felt like I was back in my high school gym patiently awaiting a pep assembly. It then hit me, were all high school students who had no idea what we were doing. We were told what color and letter we were and to go sit in the row that matched. We had no clue that the people you would be sitting with would be your family for the next six days; you would spend up to ten hours a day with them; eat every single meal with them; and grow with them. I began to talk and talk and talk to whoever was around me. I found out the girl sitting to my left was a girl I had played soccer with once. The boy across from me was an amazing football player, who as a sophomore was already playing varsity. The boy next to me had traveled all over Europe singing in famous churches and landmarks, or that there was an Xavier soccer player two seats down from me. I can’t even begin to explain to you how many incredible people I was surrounded with. It blew my mind how much diversity there was, we were all so similar but so different.
Ever heard of a WOF? I would assume you’re thinking “That’s not a word”, correct it is not a word. It stands for “Word of Focus”. A word of focus was given to us each day, sometimes twice a day. A counselor would get up on the stage and give us a word, and they would tell us a life story that had to do with their word. One of them talked about his brother suicide and his attempt at suicide, another talked about sexual abuse and persevering. We heard about alcoholism, drug abuse, gay rights, and so much more. It sounds sad, and trust me there were always tears; but it was also such a great learning experience. We were hearing these deep stories about people’s hardest times in their lives, and now we see them happy and doing something so good with their lives. I got the chance to hear a story that I related to and seeing the speaker up their owning her story, showing people they can get through it was the most touching thing that whole week.
Now if none of what I just said has made you want to apply, maybe this will. The food was some of the best food I have ever eaten. You like pizza? They got it, you like pasta, yup. How about vegetarian options, heck yeah. And desserts? Amazing is the only word I can tell you. Every morning they serve full on breakfast, there was a Belgian Waffle bar every morning, fruit, pancakes, sausage, all the foods you can imagine for breakfast. For lunch there was always pizza, pasta, some type of sandwich, a sub station, salad bar, and if you have a dietary need they will make you what you need. Dinner was always my favorite, it was the biggest meal of the day and the best tasting. And there was an ice cream machine, you could bet that there would always be a line for that. My team would easily tell you the chocolate milk was the best part of eating, it was some great milk.
Still not sure if you should apply? Well how about if I told you there’s a comedy skit contest? I don’t want to toot my own horn, but my team won hands down. Now I can’t tell you anything that would give it away, but it was a pretty funny. We got the chance to make fun of all the staff and counselors; in a nice way that didn’t hurt their feelings of course. It gave kids a chance to show a different side of themselves, and open up in front of a crowd knowing that they won’t make fun of you. I know for a fact that I let loose on that stage, because there was no one in that crowd that went to my school, no one that could make fun of me. That crowd was full of people who were all about to act insanely goofy on that stage, and no one cared because it was a safe place. And let me tell you, there were some pretty hilarious moments that could make for some pretty gruesome jokes; but jokes that were never made because we didn’t care about it. All we wanted to do was get up there and have a good time, and maybe take home the winning title.
And for you talented people, I got something for you too. On our last night there was a talent show where you could do whatever you wanted. Some teams did a goofy skit, or a dance battle. Others had the musicians in their group go up and blow our minds with their talents. We all sat on the floor in the gathering room and listened, laughed, dropped jaws in awe, and cheered them on. I have never seen so much talent in one room, I was in awe by everyone. Even the amazing dance battle made my jaw drop. It was a chance for some of the people who maybe didn’t do much to get up there and show everyone that they had something of their own. My group had two absolutely amazing musicians who played a song. In just two days they learned how to play the Pirates of the Caribbean theme song, and when they got up on that stage they performed so great.
On our last night there was a dance, a full fledged dressed up dance, but no grinding guys. All week when we met after lunch all of the staff and counselors would do this counselor dance up on stage. This time they came out in costumes and by then we had all learned it. Imagine a gym full of high schoolers doing a dance, it was crazy amazing. By the end of the night we were all sweaty and tired from dancing, but we all grew so close. Think about it, 400+ kids in a small gym dancing in the dark. Now imagine it being super hot and crammed, we got real close. But it was perfect in a way, everyone was having an amazing time and it’s a night none of us will ever forget that’s for sure.
Still don’t want to apply? I’m running out of awesome things to convince you with. But don’t you worry, I’ve got a few more tricks up my sleeve. Have you ever wanted to study abroad? Well guess what, RYLA can get you there. You can go overseas for ten months, staying with three different families; in three different areas. You will be able to sightsee and go to school, sounds perfect I know. All you have to do is apply, and if you do get in you get to come to RYLA how exciting is that?
I wish I could tell you every single little detail from RYLA, and trust me I almost did. But I would rather you experience it with an open and empty mind. I’m not kidding when I say RYLA changed my life for the better, I am so fortunate to have been chosen to go. I never thought I would have been the person they would end up sending, I applied for the fun of it. I didn’t know that my Rotary would see so much potential in me before, and even more after RYLA. I attended RYLA with a closed mind, but left with an opened mind, heart, and open eyes. I left with more friends than I could ever have asked for and for that I am so thankful. I really encourage you to apply for this, even if you don’t believe you will get in; go for it because it will truly change you.
Where can you apply?
http://ryla5340.org/Student_Application
Who is my Rotary?
There is a local Rotary for Lisbon and Mount Vernon!!
