As 2017 began, I looked back at my memories of 2016 and realized that God had blessed me with many unforgettable experiences and people. Among such memories, I will never forget my time at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards program. When I first applied for RYLA, I had not known what to expect. I had seen and heard a few things about the program, but much of what actually happened at the camp was left as a mystery.

Looking back now, those four days at Heart O’ Hills in October, surrounded by my red tribe family, were some of the best days of my life.

I was overwhelmed with a blur of new faces, new voices, and new activities, beginning with the early car ride over to the camp site. Some of my classmates, a few students from other local high schools, and I were driven toward our destination, all of us left in the dark about what the experience would bring. Filled with anxiety and excitement, it started off as an awkward and quiet car ride. However, within a short amount of time, the eleven of us began to talk about school, mutual friends, and our Interact chapters.

As the van pulled into the parking lot of Heart O’ Hills, I was enveloped with high volumes of enthusiasm and energy. At least twenty or thirty people dressed in highlighter orange t-shirts were bouncing up and down as we neared the front door. Their smiles and chants remain ingrained in my mind forever.

After finding the registration table, I remember going through a heartbreaking moment in which my best friend and I were sorted into different “tribes”. She was placed in the blue tribe, while I was placed in the red tribe. It felt weird to become a part of a group full of strangers.

The awkwardness that initially accompanied the first day was soon replaced with fun moments and powerful tribal chants. I never knew that I could become so close to twenty-seven other people so quickly.

We got to learn each other’s names through an ice breaker, proudly named our tribe “Alpha Red”, and decorated t-shirts in preparation for a spirited night at RYLA Mania. The event was one of my favorite activities since each tribe got the chance to bond by playing mini games together. It was through RYLA Mania that our tribe began to grow stronger as a family and that my own shell began to break.

The many hours and days to follow were even more exciting and life changing. On day two, members of our tribe completed some teamwork building activities. My favorite, by far, was attempting to unravel the human knot that we had made. Although it wasn’t a complete success, the laughs and smiles that radiated from each of our faces kept us warm on that cold October day.

Trust falls, high ropes courses, jam sessions in the dining hall, self-reflective seminars, and the dance were just some of the activities that I had the opportunity to take part in as a participant of RYLA. Even when we weren’t playing a game or writing down our personal goals, I was having meaningful conversations with my tribe or learning new things about myself. One of the things I will never forget from RYLA would be talking to Audrey, one of our Chiefs, on the last day of the program. In tears, she told me how proud she was to watch me grow during the camp. Remembering her encouraging words and warm hugs, I realized my personal goals for this new year: I want to spread love, serve my community, and build meaningful relationships.

My Alpha Red tribe and RYLA family will always have a special place in my heart. I will always treasure the memories I made as I continue to grow and work towards the future I envision. Just as they have changed my future for the better, my RYLA family will certainly continue to transform the lives of others. Therefore, I cannot wait to watch every member of my family make a difference in their schools, communities, and in the world.

To close, I encourage everyone to smile more, meet new people, speak up, go on adventures, and love more this year.

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." -Mother Teresa