RYLA Labuan 2017

RYLA? What is it? How is it?

RYLA stands for Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Yes, as the name suggests, it is a leadership camp that is nothing like others. For our school, we had six Form 4 Interactors as participants. Unfortunately, all Form 5 Interactors which includes myself, weren't able to participate in this particular RYLA as it was held in the mid of our SPM trials :/

Hence, without further due, let’s go on with the brief recap prepared in their own words regarding their experience there. (Read on to know why it is nothing like others)

            

   The camp was held from the 26th till the 29th of August 2017 at the Palm Beach Resort in Labuan. Six students from our schools interact club attended the leadership camp for the first time. The thing that sets RYLA apart from other leadership camps is that everybody in the team gets the opportunity to be a leader. Every day, a different person is appointed to lead the pack, taking turns to delegate tasks and guide the team, allowing us to truly explore and experience the raw meaning of leadership. Before starting with the activities, participants were jumbled up and separated into different groups. The facilitators that guided us throughout the camp made sure to separate all the Franciscans, so that we could expand our horizons and get to know others from different districts and even countries. We were definitely scared to be away from each other, which was out of our comfort zones.

  
   For our second day, we started our morning fresh with a hike through a forest led by a fellow Rylarian who was a local to the area and then returned to the resort only to find out a challenge awaiting us. Little did we know, we had to cook lunch in the wilderness. We did not get all the necessary tools needed but it helped us learn to survive without complete utensils as we were only provided with matches and wood from the surrounding area.  After a long day, we had a BBQ dinner by the beach under the stars. During the dinner, the resort had an open mic where we witnessed people with incredible talent in singing that made us realize how unexposed we are to undiscovered talent that sat among us.

  
   The next night, the night we all anticipated for dawned upon us,Talent Night. Despite having less than 24 hours of practice, all eight teams delivered spectacular performances leading to tough decisions by the judges. From dancing by Crystal Angel, Chloe Mosundu and even Marianne Biusing to singing by Stephanie Mogindol and Janice Joy Joseph who are in our schools' choir team. It was definitely touching to see how so many people had changed into more confident individuals as the pride of a Franciscan never failed to follow through.

Our 6 Interactors with our teacher advisors, Ms. Wee and Ms. Siska

 

  

 

 

The Gifts of Life going international as students from Brunei get a copy during RYLA Labuan 2017

(The Gifts Of Life is a book published by the students of our school's 4 ST1 class and FYI, all 6 of our Interactors are from 4 ST 1)

Thank you Rotary Club of Labuan for organizing this particular RYLA. The girls definitely gained more confidence, knowledge (especially survival tips) and never forgetting, new friendships. Participating RYLA is always highly recommended for the obvious reason, that is the vast benefits that will come in handy, in the long and short run.