From left to right: Pooja Ramnath, Leah Akridge, Maria Mejia, Cy Murphy, Tanner Adams, Interact Club high school sponsor Suzy Jungmann, Andrew Adams, Natalie Naramore, Diana Zepeta, Christian Reed, Hilda Cuello, Amal Saleh
The Rotary Interact students presented at the Lufkin Rotary Club’s weekly meeting on Monday to discuss their experience at Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). RYLA is Rotary’s leadership training program for youth and each year, high school juniors are selected to attend the camp. The Lufkin Rotarians cook a meal at the camp and participate as mentors and counselors.
Rotarians, Kathy Jost, Jay Jost and Cindy Tierney head up the coordination of the selected Lufkin High School Interact Students and also provide training during the camp. Suzy Jungmann is the Interact Sponsor for the high school club. RYLA emphasizes leadership, citizenship, and personal growth. The students participate in team building and leadership activities with more than 300 students from the surrounding Deep East Texas area.
Seniors Leah Akridge and Maria Mejia are returning campers who were chosen to come back and train and participate in activities with the juniors.