Rotarian of the Month

Dan Sage is the Rotarian of the Month for his efforts in arranging volunteers and organizing people for the invocation and pledge.

RYLA Students Share Their Experience

Last Friday we welcomed three outstanding students — Danna, Aarya, and Mariana — who shared highlights from their week at RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) camp. All three are seniors at Strongsville High School and leaders in their school’s Interact Club.

The weeklong camp, built around the theme of Minions, combined fun activities with powerful leadership lessons. Students worked in small “color groups” on communication, collaboration, and problem-solving challenges. They also participated in thought-provoking exercises like “This Land is Your Land,” which simulated different financial and social settings, and “The Father Game,” which taught cross-cultural understanding. Evening activities such as bowling and square dancing gave them the chance to build friendships with peers from across Ohio.

Memorable speakers included Dave Major, who encouraged students to develop their “Game Face” by persevering with a positive attitude, and Marc West, who introduced the FISH Philosophy — play, be there, make their day, and choose your attitude. Other sessions focused on heroic values of leadership, diversity and inclusion, and the importance of character.

During the Q&A, the students shared how nervous they had been about attending, but how quickly they discovered it was easy to connect with new people. By the end of the week, they were in tears saying goodbye to new friends from across Ohio. When asked how they would encourage next year’s students to apply, their advice was simple: “If you’re scared, just do it anyway — it’s an incredible opportunity to learn about leadership and yourself.”

One lighthearted moment came when they described the superheroes they felt best represented them. Their choices included Elsa for independence and resilience, Moana for adventurous spirit, and Jasmine for determination — each reflecting the confidence and growth they gained through the program.

Our club was proud to sponsor these remarkable young leaders and looks forward to seeing their future achievements.