“RYLA, RYLA, RYLA! There’s something about that name; just one short week together, and we will never be the same.” This lyric in the RYLA alma mater rings true to three upcoming CV seniors. Noah Stroka, Roy Santa Croce, and Natalie Ehrensbeck attended the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, more commonly known as “RYLA”, from June 25-30. The three students represented the Hillcrest Rotary as they, along with 106 other participants, learned about being a person of action and becoming an effective leader. Activities at RYLA included learning about restorative justice, taking a yoga class, and having a “Fashion Disaster” dance. RYLAns were also split into small groups to discuss the messages of the numerous presentations. “I was able to grow very close with the people in my small group,” notes Ehrensbeck. “I was able to open up about problems I was facing, and we helped each other through them.” Santa Croce had similar feelings about RYLA, saying “The connections that we made will stick with us throughout the entirety of our lives.” While RYLA is extremely hard to describe, one word comes to Stroka’s mind: “Life-changing.”
(Article written by: Natalie Ehrensbeck)
(Pictured l-r: Noah Stroka, Natalie Ehrensbeck & Roy Santa Croce)
