Wren Tolen, a sophomore at Gallatin R-5, will attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) program June 24- 27 at William Woods College in Fulton.
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Rotary Clubs of Missouri sponsor the event. Wren was selected by the Gallatin Rotary Club who support her attendance to the academy through a scholarship.
The primary goal of the RYLA program in Missouri is to teach the student how to organize, lead or administer a service project. RYLA focuses on how a student can serve both in the local community and internationally. Basic leadership skills are taught during the academy, such as how to market and run a budget for a project, how to utilize people resources, and how to build a solid team. One highlight of the academy is to take students to a professional team building ropes course.
Professional guidance counselors as well as volunteer Rotarians will be present at the academy. Those 25 adult counselors are from all different walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, with an age span between 20 and 70.
RYLA chooses venues that are clean, controlled environments and introduces students from rural areas and small towns to the college setting. Many students develop strong bonds during the academy because they a have similar interest in service to their fellow man.
One hundred and ten students from around the state will attend the academy. RYLA asks Rotary sponsors to select those students who have "a heart of service."