Rockwall, TX (August 14, 2023) - The Rockwall Rotary Club organization proudly provides a variety of scholarships and opportunities to Rockwall area students. Last week, the Rockwall Rotary welcomed two scholarship recipients to this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Camp, Nhira Iverson and Evan Miller.
Camp RYLA is a 6-day camp for high school juniors with over 90 DFW area high schools having students apply. Last year over 1500 applied, with Nhira and Evan, both of Rockwall High School, being among the 185 accepted! James Braaten, Youth Leadership Committee Chair for the Rockwall Rotary, said the camp is designed to challenge them personally and as groups in a team setting through a variety of activities, challenges, speakers, and responsibilities. He added that if anyone is concerned about the direction society is heading, young people like Nhira and Evan offer a lot of hope for the future!
Nhira and Evan answered questions and spoke at length about their experiences at Camp RYLA.
Camp drop off is unique and James was glad to have the opportunity to drop off both Nhira and Evan. Speaking more about that, Evan said, “Drop off is hectic but important to the experience. You are thrown right into it with everyone excitedly pounding on the cars, you are pulled out of the car, sprint out and run to the cabins while being sprayed with water.” Noting that after that the days level out and are very organized. A typical day starts very early, usually around 6:00 am. Nhira said the first activity is always to go straight to calisthenics to get your blood flowing. After that they raise the flag, go over announcements for that day, have breakfast, then move on to the activities with each day being different. In the evening they gather for dinner, talk about the day, and journal - adding that “every day was an adventure”.
The activities are all designed to challenge and develop leadership skills. Interestingly, Evan said that you realize that the first activities are designed for failure. But that failure gives way to teamwork as the teams work together to get through those failures.
What challenges stood out to you that you had to overcome?
Nhira: My cabin was full of people who wanted to lead. So, we had to learn to stop and listen in order to work together.
Evan: My cabin was the opposite – no one person really wanted to assume “the leader” role so we each had to step up when we needed to.
What did you learn about yourself that you didn’t know?
Nhira: I learned that I don’t like to show emotion, but RYLA taught me that being vulnerable is a good thing and not a weakness. Because it was a family community, it put that into perspective for me and now I try to remember to be vulnerable in my everyday life.
Evan: I learned about how to mesh with people who were very different from myself. I hate group projects but after being at RYLA I think that side of me has changed. One of the goals is to develop sound values and intellectual leadership skills.
What did the camp teach you about values and ethics? Nhira: I go back to one of the personality activities. We had to complete a personality quiz prior to camp and when we received the results each personality had an animal to it. I was a Koala – and they don’t like confrontation. But I learned that I have to face it so I can come up with solutions to problems.
Evan: I was also a Koala. We were intentionally put in cabin groups with people who were not like us but of course when we are with others like us, we work great together. So, learning to mesh with those of different personalities was one of the most important things I took away.
Have you changed and if so what way?
Nhira: I am trying to be more vulnerable and be a leader that shows its ok not be ok in a situation but that you have to push through.
Evan: RYLA strengthened my work ethic with all the activities being back-to-back to back. My cabin was up until 2am doing everything we were assigned. And now coming up on the school year I’m not going to stop working hard, I’m going to push through.
Tell me about something that you brought back from camp that you can share with peers?
Nhira: The importance of listening! I’m the kind of person who likes to get what I am thinking out right away and not always take the time to hear what others have to say. It taught me that sometimes you have to wait and hear what others need to say.
Evan: Learning how to step up and work as a team. I’ve always liked working on projects alone, getting it done and turning it in. I realize now that working as a team can accomplish greater goals and I think I will be working more with my classmates.
Following this experience, would you do it again?
Nhira: Yes, I was looking over my notes and souvenirs from camp and I started tearing up because I loved it so much. I made great connections. I still keep in touch with my cabin mates, and we have even hung out a few times.
Evan: Yes, I still have a group chat with cabin mates and message each other almost daily. Sometimes we wake up to 50 text messages! They are all great people, and I am glad I met them. It was a great experience and applicants won’t regret it.
What does the future hold now? As the camp experience closed, both Nhira and Evan expressed interest in working with RYLA in the future either as counselors or team members. However, in the days immediately following camp most attendees go home to catch up on sleep due to the very long and full camp days. Nhira on the other hand, received a call from her club basketball coach telling her they had a tournament early the next morning, so Nhira was going to be up before 6:00 am ready to play for her team! These young people are rockstars!