A Rotary International youth program found throughout the world, RYLA has over a 25 year history in western Missouri, which began under the leadership of Rotary Director Fred Hahn from Independence. To date, over 2,000 Missouri high school students can proudly call themselves “RYLArians.”
Fifteen years ago, RYLA expanded its framework to become the tri-district Missouri RYLA Academy. High school students from Districts 6040, 6060, and 6080 come together each summer to spend four days on the William Woods University campus in Fulton, Missouri. Because of the program’s outstanding curriculum and achievement, the academy now offers two sessions each summer, capable of hosting 100 students per session.
Considered the Rotary International model service leadership development curriculum for high school aged participants, students dive deep into learning about Rotary and the power of service above self.
Academy participants are immersed in service project development, learning valuable skills of how to put great service ideas into action. Missouri RYLAians return home to their communities on fire, invigorated and ready to serve their fellow men.
Unique in so many ways, the MO RYLA Academy continues to thrive with innovative concepts. With 30 combined years of program leadership, Curriculum Director Rich Linden, a Kansas City Plaza Rotarian and Administrative Director Valerie Anderson from the North Kansas City Club, recognize the powerful impact that MO RYLA program can have on the rest of the Rotary world. With combined skills and passion, Rich and Valerie have accepted a formal invitation to present the RYLA breakout session in Hamburg, Germany at the Rotary International 2019 Convention in June!