Rotary Clubs across Osceola County, including Rotary Club of Kissimmee West, Kissimmee, Kissimmee Bay, Celebration, and St. Cloud, came together recently to honor a group of local high school students who participated in this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), a transformative five-day leadership experience held in February at the Elks Lodge in Umatilla.
The event, hosted at the Kissimmee Elks Lodge—which donated the space and catered the event—recognized the 32 students from Osceola County who attended RYLA, part of a larger group of 109 teens representing District 6980. Of those 32 Osceola students, 21 attended the celebration alongside proud family members, Rotary leaders, and community supporters.
The participating Rotary Clubs from across the county joined forces to provide full scholarships to each student, ensuring that cost was not a barrier to participation.
Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington played a key role in supporting the initiative, contributing funds that helped send 14 students to the program.
“I believe in investing in our youth,” said Commissioner Arrington. “Programs like RYLA not only equip students with leadership skills, but also empower them to become engaged, confident citizens who give back to their communities.”
Throughout the evening, students shared heartfelt reflections about their experience, recounting team-building challenges like the ropes course, the emotional “Walk of Courage,” and the life-changing confidence they gained in just a few days.
“The goal of RYLA is to unlock the leadership potential already inside these young people and help them develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed,” said Eddie Fernandez, District 6980 Youth Service Chair. “It’s about more than just leadership—it’s about learning to serve.”
“RYLA was better than a whole month of school,” one student shared. Another reflected, “I didn’t talk much before, but now I feel confident enough to connect with people.”
The RYLA program, developed by Rotary International and tailored by District 6980—which covers Orange, Osceola, Lake, Seminole, and Sumter counties—is an immersive leadership camp for high school sophomores and juniors. This year’s participants represented a nearly even gender split with 53% female and 47% male students.
With guidance from Rotary mentors like Cristina Rabago, John Timmerman, and many others, RYLA provides training in communication, leadership, teamwork, and self-development—all designed to prepare students to lead in school, in their communities, and in life.
“These students walk away with real tools and a network of peers who believe in making a difference,” said Rabago. “It’s inspiring to see how far they come in just a few days.”
The Rotary Clubs also partner with the School District of Osceola County to help identify and recruit students with leadership potential for future RYLA events.
To learn more about RYLA and how to get involved, visit www.ryla6980.com.
