Matt Hawkins Proudly Represents LCCTC at RYLA

Proud to represent the New Castle Rotary Club #89 once again, our very own Matt Hawkins has been selected to attend RYLA this week (Sunday. June 12- Friday, June 17) at Westminster College.  

According to the RYLA Handbook, here are the basics for the program and of what Matt may experience this week:

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is Rotary's leadership training program for young people. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth,and aims to:

• Demonstrate Rotary's respect and concern for youth
• Provide an effective training experience for selected youth and potential leaders
• Encourage leadership of youth by youth
• Recognize publicly young people who are rendering service to their communities

For these young adults, this recognition offers the opportunity to build self-confidence, gain exposure to a variety of issues and people, meet active community leaders, and learn valuable information and career skills.

The core curriculum for all RYLA events across the globe covers the following general topics:

• Fundamentals of leadership 
• Ethics of positive leadership 
• Importance of communication skills in effective leadership 
• Problem solving and conflict management 
• What Rotary is and what it does for the community 
• Building self-confidence and self-esteem 
• Elements of community and global citizenship 

Here are questions Matt will consider as he participates in activities this week:  

1. What challenges did you encounter in trying to solve this problem? 
2. What feelings and thoughts did you have while trying to solve these problems? Fear? Frustration? “It is impossible!” Excitement? Wanted to give up? What did you do with those feelings and thoughts? 
3. Why is it important to listen carefully to directions? 
4. How many ways did you find to communicate with one another as a group? 
5. Did any one person come up with all the solutions? If not, what does that tell you about the benefits of seeking help and cooperating when you have a problem to overcome?

Matt is currently serving the graduating Class of 2017 as president.  He is the vice-president of Peer Leadership and has participated in ROVA.  He has recently earned his Certification as a Nurse Aid and studies Health Assistant.  He proudly participates in SkillsUSA as a member of the Health Bowl team.  He was the gold-medal winner at the Jeri Palumbo Memorial 5K and runs track (his favorite event:  the 800) and cross country for his home school, New Castle High School.  

Thank you, New Castle Rotary, for sending Matthew to RYLA this week.  We are certain that he will represent you, our school, and his family well.  We are proud of Matt and his accomplishments.  

You can learn more about RYLA, ROVA (Rotary Outstanding Vocational Award), and Rotary International's aim to support today's youth by clicking here:  http://www.rotarydistrict7280

We look forward to hearing more from Matt and his experiences.  For now, we wish him all the best.  Here's hoping the weather is phenomenal!  Enjoy your week, Matt!!  

Click here to read more from Matt's daily reflections during RYLA:  http://thelcctceagle.blogspot.com/2016/06/ryla-daily-reflections.html

To read more from The LCCTC Eagle, click here:  http://thelcctceagle.blogspot.com/