At first NHS Junior Cole Stephens wasn’t sure he wanted to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, but his mom convinced him it would look good on college applications and he might even make some new friends. Sure enough, RYLA ended up being a great experience and Cole met diverse people who made every activity different and enjoyable.
“I gained new knowledge in how to put trust in other people, as well as how to lead and work together no matter how different everyone was,” he said.
By the end of the academy, Cole stood out to the event organizers as someone who should return next year as a camp counselor and leader.
“Rotarian volunteers and leaders voted on students whose qualities stood out,” Cole said. “They were stationed at each activity, and that’s how they saw us and chose us.”
Cole said he’s looking forward to helping kids better themselves at next year’s academy, “and having a heck of a good time while doing it!”
Cole is also a member of the Swim Team, Key Club vice president, a member of the National Honor Society and a drill team escort.
Junior Tray Jones also attended RYLA.
“I wanted to go to RYLA to better myself as a leader and an individual,” he said. “My favorite thing was the relationships and teamwork skills you gain from being on a team during the conference. I think the most valuable thing I learned was the realization that I make an impact on people every day, even when I don’t notice.”
Tray is also a Student Council officer, a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, Dragon SRT and a class officer.
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