Rotary Club of Biloxi Recognizes Youth Leaders

The Rotary Club of Biloxi recognized some of Biloxi’s brightest young leaders at a recent lunch meeting. Those students were selected to take part in Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), which is Rotary International’s development program for young leaders. It emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth. Each year, thousands of young people take part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program worldwide. Young people ages 14-30 chosen for their leadership potential, attend an all-expenses-paid seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills and to learn those skills through practice. Rotary clubs and districts select participants and facilitate the event's curriculum.

This year, the Rotary Club of Biloxi will be sending two incoming Biloxi High School seniors to a RYLA workshop held at Solomon Episcopal Retreat Center in Loranger, Louisiana. Those students attending this year’s four-day RYLA event on behalf of the Rotary Club of Biloxi are: Patrick Bailey and Christina Fullenkamp.

Rotarians recognize that today’s young people will become tomorrow’s leaders. Preparing those future leaders is a significant task. That’s why each year more than 9,000 young people are sponsored in RYLA programs by Rotary Clubs in over 25 countries. Rotary Clubs around the world are dedicated to helping young people develop their leadership skills to the fullest. Those who complete the RYLA program will be better able to successfully manage their lives and careers and make a mark on society, contributing to their communities.

The Rotary Club of Biloxi, chartered on Aug. 5, 1921, meets every Tuesday at noon at Mary Mahoney’s Old French House Restaurant.

Pictured Left to Right: Ellie Vasilopoulos, RYLA Committee Chair; Bruce Marie, President, Rotary Club of Biloxi; Christina Fullenkamp, 2009 RYLA delegate; Patrick Bailey, 2009 RYLA delegate; and Lisa Burwell, RYLA Committee Co-Chair.