For the last 50 years, the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) has connected young leaders and prepared them to serve their communities. Current CHS sophomores Adelyn Johnson and Sebastian Gutierrez have been selected to represent the Collinsville-Maryville-Caseyville (CMC) Rotary for the 2021 District 6460 RYLA event in April.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Academy program is a leadership development academy for high school students who make an impact on their school and community. The program develops leaders and encourages them to build connections and teamwork skills with peers from both in their community and in other countries.
RYLA in District 6460 will be held virtually for the first time this year. Facilitators for the day are two young Rotarians: Sydney, a former Interactor, Rotaractor and Rotary Scholarship recipient; and Zane, a former Interact member, who just returned from his Youth Exchange experience in Brazil. Youth Exchange students from around the world will be joining. The keynote speaker is Rotary Global Grant Scholar Chad Anderson.
“For the first time ever, we are proud to present a virtual RYLA, bringing together participants from throughout central Illinois to engage their peers. Now more than ever, RYLA is ‘Building Connections, Building Comradery and Building Communities,'” according to the Rotary District 6460 flyer.
RYLA is a “… chance to get students in your area the experience they need to be a LEADER in the community and at school. With the RYLA experience, they can gain the skills they need to be SUCCESSFUL in college and in future careers. By attending they will grow and excel with other leaders who make an impact on their schools and communities.”
2021 RYLA Participants from Collinsville High School
Sebastian Gutierrez is currently a sophomore and member of the Track team at Collinsville High School.
CHS teacher Mark Schusky says Sebastian is “… an avid learner, taking academically challenging classes and pushing himself to succeed. Sebastian also displays high levels of self-motivation, reading widely and possessing a diverse array of academic interests. Always ready to engage in intellectual conversation”
Another teacher said of Sebastian, “He brings a unique perspective and insight to each and every class discussion, seeking to expand his knowledge and asking probing questions, always eager to learn more. He is naturally inquisitive, intelligent, mature, responsible and respectful. He exemplifies the qualities that I see in so many of our impressive Kahok students.”
Adelyn Johnson is currently a sophomore and participates in CHS Volleyball, Club Volleyball, Executive Board, Key Club, Student Council and CHS Soccer.
CHS teacher Darrin Neuber said, “Adelyn Johnson is one of my best sophomores. She’s a volleyball player, very hard worker, cares about her grades, fixes her mistakes. She’s a good kid.”
“Addy always takes class seriously and goes the extra mile to make sure her projects stand apart from her peers,” said teacher Barbara Lindauer.