RYLA candidate Emily York chatting with Pam Spokes, of her sponsoring Rotary Club of Leicester Novus
On Day Two of her RYLA experience, teacher Emily York’s bubbly enthusiasm shone through, even though her sleep had been interrupted and she had been wet rather than dry for most of her time.
RYLA — Rotary Youth Leadership Award — courses have been held at Grafham Water, Anglian Water’s reservoir and activity centre in Cambridgeshire, for 33 years. This year nearly 40 young people sponsored by Rotary clubs from across the East Midlands are taking part.
During a week of intense actvities, the candidates will experience new thrills, learn new skills and develop leadership skills and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Emily — who has already helped Leicester Novus deliver projects on several occasions — told Pam Spokes on Day Two, when sponsoring clubs were invited to send members to support their candidates, that she had not slept well, and that on Day One and Day Two she and her new friends had been more wet than dry.
“I had not really been looking forward to being on the water,” said Emily, “but I’ve loved kayaking and want to do more of it.”
The RYLA class of 2017…
Among the other candidates met by Pam were the delegates Yasmin and Melissa sponsored respectively by Oadby and Leicester Rotary clubs.
Like all the candidates, they undertook to speak to their sponsoring clubs after the week-long, CV-enhancing experience. Emily will be speaking at Leicester Novus Rotary’s meeting on Thursday, August 10. If you would like to hear her, please e-mail the Rotary Club of Leicester Novus.
