ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARDEE WOWS MEMBERS!!

At our meeting on 14^th November members were treated to a truly inspirational talk by 2025 RYLA Awardee Evelyn Plowright. Evelyn was one of two Awardees our Youth Services Team supported on the course this year. She presented as a very mature, engaging young lady with a very positive attitude to life and one who takes up all challenges she meets with enthusiasm and commitment. She talked us through the five days of the course leaving no stones unturned! She had seized every opportunity offered to develop her leadership skills and had not only listened to the constructive criticism of her peers but acted on it. President Paul even allowed her to continue her talk longer than usual because everyone present was so enraptured!

It was no surprise to us to learn that Evelyn’s team had been the overall winners at the end of the course and she had made some lasting friendships.

Evelyn’s father Jon also joined us and chatted around the table during lunch. He became quite emotional as he watched Evelyn make her presentation and expressed tremendous gratitude to York Rotary for giving her the opportunity to attend the RYLA Course.

Evelyn’s RYLA Mentor Alex Healey also attended and it was very apparent that he was also very proud of what Evelyn had both contributed and achieved. 

Evelyn’s final comment was that attending the RYLA Course had been one of the best experiences of her life and she thanked York Rotary for everything!!

The future of the District 1040 RYLA Course is uncertain due to the difficulty of finding a Rotarian to lead it. However I am delighted to inform members that the 2026 Course will go ahead for one week in July. Lucy Hodgson RC Halifax has kindly agreed to act as Course Leader again and she will be assisted by Jayne Manley from RC Stainborough. Our Youth Services Team have agreed to support it and will be providing funds for at least one participant.

Mary Lumley