Five Conway students attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) at The C.S.Vines 4-H Center in Ferndale, west of Little Rock, from April 13-16, 2023. RYLA is hosted annually by Rotary Club District 6170 which provides an intensive leadership experience where young people can develop leadership skills while having fun and making new friends. The Conway Noon Rotary Club, whose President is Wendy Francis, was involved in arranging for the students, Emma Allison , Daniel Trusty and Olivia Keisling from St. Joseph High School and Shelby Phillips and Gleb Shevchenko from Conway High, to attend the camp. Shevchenko had recently moved to Arkansas from Ukraine.They joined nearly 50 other students for three days of team building and a variety of engaging activities.These included rock climbing, ziplining, canoeing, and a high ropes course, The campers also put together a talent show, learned about financial literacy, and joined for a dance.
"I was hesitant at first," Trusty said. "I didn't know anyone there, but after the first day I started to become close with my roommates and made new friends. We had so much fun I would recommend the camp to anyone." Keisling was also initially unsure about going. "I'm so glad I did," she said. "My favorite parts were the activities! I went ziplining and rock climbing for the first time, and I absolutely loved it. I also loved the dance and the talent show, which my group won!. I would really encourage students to attend next year, and I would go back if I could!" Allison felt the camp changed her life for the better. "During RYLA, I stepped out of my comfort zone and learned that to be a leader I'd have to do things that made me uncomfortable," she said. "I made friends who I'm still in touch with, and the camp counselors were amazing people who made things so much fun!"
group photo (left to right) includes Gleb Shevchenko, Daniel Trusty, Olivia Keisling, Emma Allison, Shelby Phillips, and Rotary Club President Wendy Francis