Louise Clark submitted this article and photos.
This year the Morrison Rotary Club, in partnership with the Erie Rotary Club, sent 13 Morrison High School and four Prophetstown High School students to Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp (RYLA.) Camp took place from Friday, May 3, to Sunday, May 5, 2019, at the Lorado Taft campus of Northern Illinois University, at Lowden State Park.
The purpose of RYLA is for students to improve their leadership skills, as they work together in teams. They meet students from all over northwestern Illinois as well as exchange students from all parts of the world. Lasting friendships are built during this time. The camp is staffed by Rotarians from around the District who volunteer their time to provide a safe, positive atmosphere for the students. Approximately 120 students attend the camp each year.
The camp has an amazing impact on students’ lives. Several past Morrison High School campers have gone on to become student Counselors/helpers at the RYLA camp. One student located the nearest RYLA camp in the Rotary district where they were going to college and helped them run their camp for two years.
This is the second year in a row the Morrison Rotary Club has sponsored students from both Morrison and Prophetstown. Because of the large number of applicants, and because the club did not want to turn anyone down, Erie Rotary Club stepped up and assisted with the funds to send them. Another club in the District also helped to contribute to the cause.
The Morrison Rotary Club organizes the Harvest Hammer 5K Race and Duathlon each Fall. It is their only fundraiser. Proceeds from the Harvest Hammer are used each year to provide scholarships to Morrison High School Seniors, send students to RYLA, and fund community and international projects.
Morrison High School students, left-to-right, are Jazmine Callan, Gracyn Schmidt, Abigail Coons (standing), Grace Steines, Taylor Stratton, Clara Bush, Chloe Bielema (standing), Lexi Allen, Allison Taylor, Isaac Melton, and Brady Wolf. Not pictured are Anna Rinker and Paige Baker.
Prophetstown High School students, left-to-right, are Dawson Haggard, Jakob Grunder, Adysson Scott, and Sami Celestino.
