Tattnall County High School (TCHS) Interact Club member and junior Brooklyn Waters gave a presentation to the newly formed Long County Rotary Club at their Thursday, January 11, 2024, meeting in Ludowici. Interact Club is a junior Rotary Club.
She was warmly welcomed by Long County Rotary Club President Brandi Castaño and introduced by Rotary District 6920 Assistant Governor Pam Waters of the Glennville Rotary Club. Also attending from the Glennville Club were Donald Fountain, who has been assisting Brandi with the filing of the documents needed for their club’s charter and other requirements, and Glennville club president Joe Sikes.
Brooklyn shared about her experience attending RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) that was held June 8-11, 2023, on the campus of Coastal College of Georgia in Brunswick. She commented that the information and leadership training she had received in the four-day event would benefit her in high school and her life beyond. RYLA is open to rising juniors and seniors.
She explained that RYLA was started in 1960 as a leadership experience organized by Rotary clubs across the world. These sessions teach skills, such as communication, problem solving, and dynamic leadership, all while making cherished memories and connections with fellow RYLA attendees.
Rotary District 6920 had not organized a RYLA event since COVID-19, so the 2023 RYLA marked a new beginning. RYLA was formerly held at South Georgia College in Douglas, but in 2023 was moved to the coastal city of Brunswick, Georgia,” said Brooklyn.
The students stayed in the college dorms and participated in a range of activities to familiarize them with the campus and network with each other.
The 90-minute classes were presented by interesting speakers and were interspersed with team-building sessions. The group also visited MAP International in Brunswick where they packed disaster relief kits.
“This was probably my favorite of all events since it opened my eyes to the true scope of humanitarian efforts that Rotarians provide and their supportive partners in these endeavors,” said Brooklyn.
Following Brooklyn’s PowerPoint presentation and comments, Long County Rotary Club President Castano mentioned that Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) classes are available on February 10, 2024; the District Conference for District 6920 Rotarians is in April on Jekyll Island; and the District Assembly is June 26 in Dublin. Also, a charter party for the Long County Rotary Club is in the planning stages for March or April.
For more information about the Long County Rotary Club, or if you are interested in becoming a member, please contact Brandi Castaño at 912-271-7289 or email brandi.castano@gmail.com.
