Youth Services Projects
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is District 7980’s leadership training program for young men and women ages in grades 10, 11 and 12 (Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors). These talented youth from area high schools are selected by their local Rotary clubs to attend a weekend conference designed to increase their leadership skills and commitment to community service. RYLA is held twice a year, a spring session and a fall session.
RYLA is an internationally recognized program. Each year more than 9,000 young adults are sponsored by Rotary Clubs in over 25 countries. Dedicated Rotarians and selected presenters make up the RYLA team. Rotary Youth Leadership Awards has 25,000 students and young adults participating globally.
The Objective of RYLA
To develop personal and leadership skills with a focus placed on communication, problem-solving and management abilities. The program also introduces young people to the responsibilities of community service and global citizenship.
Rotary’s motto – ‘Service Above Self’
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
NICARAGUA SCHOLARSHIP:
Audi Legaspy S. Betancourt – For the past few years Westport Rotary sponsored Audi with his Engineering studies Audi has now completed his degree.
UGANDA LAW STUDENT SPONSORSHIP:
Our club has been approached by a final year LLB student, residing in Uganda, for assistance with some sponsorship to complete his LLB degree and thereafter to pursue his master’s degree in human Rights Law. His application has been submitted for consideration.
ESSEX YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT
Hosting exchange students demonstrates a Rotary club’s commitment to International Service and is also rewarding and fun for members. Westport Rotary Club will have an impact on helping students experience a safe way to open their minds by experiencing a new culture by attending school abroad for a year living with a host family.
We are currently assisting a talented student to plan to go to Taiwan for a year as a youth exchange student. We are in the process to assist her to try and make it possible. She will attend an interview with our board of directors in due course for guidance and approval.
YOUTH GRANT RECIPIENTS
Westport Rotary Club support the following Youth Grant Recipients in 2024:
A Better Chance of Westport
Carver Foundation of Norwalk
First Serve Bridgeport
Horizons – Norwalk
Horizons at Notre Dame
Staples Tuition Grant
Urban Impact of Black Rock
ROTARY FOUR-WAY SPEECH COMPETITION
What is the Four-Way Test Speech Competition
The Rotary Four-Way Test Speech Competition is a speech contest for high school students that tests their ability to apply the Rotary Four-Way Test to a topic of their choice. The Four-Way Test is a set of questions that asks students to consider if something is:
True
Fair to all
Beneficial to all
Conducive to building goodwill and better friendships
The competition judges the students on their content, organization, and delivery. Some clubs award certificates, cash prizes, or scholarships.
Competition Details
Eligibility: High school students, in grades 9–12, are eligible to compete.
Speech length: Speeches are usually between five and seven minutes long.
Judging: Judges evaluate students on content (50%), organization (30%), and delivery (20%).
Finals: Students who advance to the finals are expected to deliver their speech in person but may be able to submit a video recording if there is a valid reason.
Prizes: Some clubs award cash prizes, while others award certificates or scholarships.
What is the Next Generations Leadership Conference?
Each year, high school students from across Rotary District 7980 meet their peers at Next Generations to participate in dialogue-based workshops about topics and issues that are important to them. Workshop topics change annually based on student experiences and needs. The diverse backgrounds of the high school participants allow for a variety of perspectives to be shared on the selected topics. By attending Next Generations, students will make connections from across southern Connecticut, gain effective communication skills, and develop valuable understanding abilities that will better them as leaders in their clubs, schools, and communities.