Rotary Youth Leadership Awards were officially announced in December. After the November interview, by a panel of Rotary members, juniors Hannah Ritchie and Isaian Gama were chosen as this year’s campus representatives. They will be able to attend the RYLA Leadership Camp along with other students who were chosen from surrounding schools across East Texas. The RYLA program is a key element of Rotary’s program and is designed to equip young people to become effective future leaders.

“I was extremely honored to be nominated,” said Ritchie. “I am thankful for the chance to be recognized as a leader in my community.”

Applicants are recommended by their high school counselors, teachers, and principals on the basis of service performed, leadership ability, academic performance and citizenship. RYLA’s mission is to help make the students more confident and self-assured in future decision-making as well as leadership situations that they will confront in life.

“I was surprised to be chosen, but I’m glad that I was nominated,” said Gama. “It helps my self confidence to know that I am thought of as a leader”.

Ritchie and Gama will attend the annual leadership camp, in February, at Clements Scout Ranch of Athens, Texas.