Wichita Falls North and Wichita Falls Southwest Rotary Clubs Presidents Clint Wood and Bruce Gray lead a Caravan of RYLA Campers to Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. WFSWRC member Jack Brown drove the 3rd vehicle.
The RYLA Program is led in a professional, collegiate atmosphere where participants will Develop leadership skills, Increase self-confidence, teach proper social and business etiquette, Observe how city government operates, Expand their civic and patriotic skills in ethics and responsibility, Learn about the purpose and objectives of Rotary International while attending a Rotary club meeting including the Rotary 4 Way Test, Participate in a community service project and Participate in a global political exercise.
RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards which is a Rotary initiative designed to Demonstrate Rotary’s respect and concern for young people, Provide leadership concepts for selected youth leaders. Encourage leadership of youth by youth and Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities through a fun 4 day camping and educational experience run by Rotary members from throughout Rotary District 5790. High School Students apply to local Rotary clubs for scholarships to attend this annual event at Tarleton State University. This year the Wichita Falls Southwest Rotary Club and Wichita Falls North Rotary Club provided grants for 5 RYLA campers from Wichita Falls high schools; Andrea Granados, Aaron Castillo, Francisco Aleman, Estefany Urbieta and Natalie Perez.
Bruce, Clint and Jack "caravaned" our campers to Wichita Falls to Stephenville of the 2022 RYLA event that started Thursday (June 16) morning. The Caravan will return Sunday, June 19th to pick-up the students. The transformation of those students from Thursday to Sunday will be almost magical.