A group of 18 Cumberland County high school students participated in Rotary International District 7730’s annual Rotary Youth Leadership Conference on Jan. 27-29 at Trinity Center in Pine Knoll Shores, according to a news release.
The students were sponsored by the Fayetteville Rotary Club,
The youth conference is organized by Rotary clubs to help high school students develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections, according to the release from the Fayetteville Rotary Club.
The Fayetteville students joined 53 others to connect with Rotary and community leaders, build communication and problem-solving skills, and learn strategies for becoming a leader in their schools and communities. Students also participated in a food packing service project with Rise Against Hunger, the release said.
“In a world that’s ever-changing at a moment’s notice, we are proud to sponsor 18 students’ admission to the Rotary Youth Leadership program,” said Brandon Price, president of the Fayetteville Rotary. “These students learn real life skills that will enable them to become the future leaders our communities desperately need.”
The Fayetteville students represented Cross Creek Early College High School, Cumberland International Early College, E.E. Smith High School, Gray’s Creek High School, Jack Britt High School and Massey Hill Classical High School.
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Stella Martyak, a junior at Massey Hill high, said the program gave her the chance to meet like-minded students.
“This experience will help me greatly in the future. I learned new leadership skills that I can now bring back to my school and share with other leaders,” Martyak said. “The skills I learned will help me be a better leader and person wherever life may take me.”
Léora Desgranges, a French exchange student who attends Jack Britt High School, is living in Fayetteville as part of Rotary International's Exchange Student program.
“I chose to attend RYLA because as the exchange student of the District 7730, it’s another opportunity offered by Rotary,” said Desgranges. “What’s more, I wanted to meet new people and to know more about leadership skills.”
The Fayetteville Rotary Club annually coordinates the selection of local students for the youth conference and pays the full expenses for the students to attend, the release said. After the conference, the students attend Rotary meetings and share their experience with club members.
Mary Ledford, a senior at Gray’s Creek High School and two-time youth conference participant, shared her experience at a Feb. 23 Rotary Club meeting.
“This experience was one that has left a great impression on my leadership skills, my community awareness and my network of like-minded, service-oriented students,” said Ledford. “RYLA rejuvenates students who already have service-oriented minds to be inventive and brave in their endeavors in their community.”
