Click Here for: Student Participation Registration for Spring RYLA 2026
* Application due date: Friday, April 3rd, 2026
* Newtown Community Center
* Sponsorship Club or Sponsor payment due date: Saturday, April 4, 2026
* Conference Date: Saturday, April 11, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (students will commit to the entire day)
Cost is $200 for the sponsor/sponsoring organization (local Rotary Club, family, school or civic organization).
- Students are responsible for verifying that the organization has paid or is committed to paying the sponsorship fee.
- The conference begins on Saturday at 8:00 AM
- The conference ends on Saturday at 6:00 PM
D7980 Spring RYLA 2026 Program
Newtown Community Center, April 11, 2026
Bus transportation provided (see flyer on ClubRunner and DACdb).
Newtown Community Center, April 11, 2026
Bus transportation provided (see flyer on ClubRunner and DACdb).
| 8:00 to 8:30 | Registration; Breakfast, Icebreakers at color coded, geographic team designed tables |
| 8:45 to 8:55 | Welcome, Video: Elliana Essenter, Student RYLA Chair, Stephanie Philips, DG, and Julia Kushigian-Secor, DGN |
| 9:00 to 9:30 | What is Leadership? / Conflict Resolution. Atty. Nandita Ruchandani, Trumbull RC; discussion and debriefing with student facilitators, Atty. Ruchandani, and Rotary advisors |
| 9:30 to 9:55 | Leadership Part 1 with Elliana; debrief with RYLA student facilitators and Rotary advisors. Prompt: Think about leadership and how leaders incorporate the 4 Way Test, problem solving, and peacebuilding into their daily lives, skills, and methods. |
| 10:00 to 10:25 | RYLA Challenge / Service Project with Jamie; discussion and debrief with RYLA student facilitators. Prompt: How do you attach leadership principles to a service project? What other agencies, groups, clubs, or teams can we collaborate with to have a greater impact? |
| 10:30 to 11:00 | RYLA Trailblazers Outdoor Team Building Tic Tac Toe Course with David, Jamie, Julia, Garden Project, student facilitators and co facilitators, Rotary advisors Christene, Val, and Gail. Group divided between activities and switches at halfway point. |
| 11:10 to 11:30 | Acts of Kindness with Ophilia and Mohib |
| 11:30 to 11:55 | Public Speaking with Lauren; RYLA Handshake with Ahilyn and Ophilia; debrief with RYLA facilitators and Rotary advisors. Meeting Room. |
| 12:00 to 12:30 | Lunch, RYLA and Rotary moments, and Kindness notes with student facilitators; 12:35 to 1:00 Peace Pole dedication with Rotarians Dennis Wong and John Waller |
| 1:10 to 1:55 | Culture Walk and culture questions with Mohib; debrief with Crystal and Rotary advisors |
| 2:00 to 3:55 | Develop Service Projects begun in the morning, such as sample community service projects, social media campaigns, or grant proposals to benefit a local or global community. Focus on leadership skills, conflict resolution, and promoting peace. Breakout rooms. |
| 4:00 to 4:55 | Group Presentations, Service Projects. Judges: 2 student facilitators, Crystal, and Katie, AGs |
| 5:00 to 5:55 | Dinner, reflection, debriefing, and survey |
| 6:00 PM | Departure |
Congratulations to Spring RYLA’s Student Leaders: Chair, Elliana Essenter; Registrar, Jamie Drummond; and Facilitators, Ahilyn Ganan, Lauren Herrera, Ophilia Tillman, and Mohib Sayed. Special thanks to our Rotarian volunteers, DG Stephanie Philips, PDG Christene Freedman, PDG Robert Friend, DGN Julia Kushigian-Secor, DGND David Freedman, AGs Katie Augustyn, Crystal Engram, & Nancy Morin, Keynote Speaker Nandita Ruchandani, Rotarians Gail MacDonald, Val West, Joe Shapiro, and Peace Committee Peace Pole Dedication Speakers Dennis Wong & John Waller.
What is RYLA?
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is District 7980’s leadership training program for young men and women in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 (Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors). These talented youth from area high schools are supported by their local Rotary clubs, families, schools or civic organizations to attend an action-packed one-day conference. Their activities are designed to increase their leadership skills and commitment to community service, while creating positive change locally and internationally.
RYLA is held twice a year, in the fall and spring. RYLA is an internationally recognized program attended by over 9,000 young adults each year, sponsored by Rotary Clubs in more than 25 countries. Dedicated Rotarians, student facilitators, and selected specialists make up the RYLA team.
The Objective of RYLA
To develop personal and leadership skills with a focus placed on communication, problem-solving and management abilities. The program also introduces young people to the joys and responsibilities of community service, global citizenship, and Rotary International's Vision:
“Together we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
Calling all 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who are
- Ready to level up their leadership skills
- Passionate about personal growth
- Eager to create positive change in their communities
- Excited to challenge themselves
- Interested in strengthening communication, problem-solving and conflict resolution abilities
Rotary’s motto – “Service Above Self”
Candidate Criteria
High school students who:
- Demonstrate leadership in school or community organizations.
- Make moral decisions, distinguish right from wrong.
- Display the willingness to be an active member of a group.
- Promote curiosity about current events: local, state, national, and international.
- Encourage speaking and listening to others in front of an audience.