RYLA 2024

At this week’s meeting the many attending thoroughly enjoyed presentations from 3 young people from Elgin who recently attended the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) camps at Abernethy. Sebastien Kielczewski, Iris Whitton and Riley McLaggan all superbly demonstrated the benefits gained from attending this annual initiative.

Sebastien highlighted how his confidence had been strengthened through leadership, each member of a team being given the opportunity to be team leader for a day, how trusting those around him had helped him and how, in effect, leadership was a two-way process.

Iris, who had identified the week as an opportunity to develop her leadership skills to assist young people, identified key aspects covered during the week, namely: independence; communication; teamwork; and handling stressful situations – not least when new challenges are faced. She welcomed the friendships made during the week and the need to focus on tasks and thinking ofothers.

Riley enjoyed socialising with other young people and challenges throughout the week such as raft building, mountain biking, rock climbing, the sports day and the opportunities to listen to informed and informative speakers and the emphasis on working in teams. He had enjoyed an amazing time of his life and like the other speakers was very grateful to Rotary Elgin. In conclusion, Riley considered RYLA great preparation for his future studying and work.

It was clear from these 3 young people that they had done Rotary Elgin proud, thereby underlining the importance and relevance of Rotary Elgin continuing to support this established initiative.