Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) high school students can apply to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) leadership camp next month.
The camp is held from Feb. 14 to 16 at Camp Letts in Edgewater and is for students in grades 10 through 12. Rotary members suggest the camp for students who are future leaders, members of the student government, participants in the JROTC program, sports team captains and those interested in community service, improving the environment, who value civic responsibility and want to gain leadership skills that they can use in school and beyond.
The Rotary Club of Charles County will sponsor at least three students to attend RYLA where participants will take part in teambuilding activities, learn skills in public speaking and conflict resolution, and work on other projects. There are also opportunities to engage in camp activities like a zipline and archery.
To apply, visit https://forms.gle/jvcr7ywaXACVH81D8, or contact Chris Zabriskie at zabriskiect@gmail.com. Students can also talk to their school counselor who have information about RYLA.
Four-Way Test Speech Contest
The Rotary Club of Charles County will hold a speech contest for high school students in Grades 9 through 12.
The Four-Way Test Speech Contest asks students to deliver a 4-to-6-minute speech on any topic through the lens of the Rotary’s four-way test. The Rotary Four-Way Test is: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Rotary Club members suggest good candidates for the speech contest are those who are in Advanced Placement (AP) or honors English and/or social studies classes, participants in drama, speech or debate clubs, members of the student government or any aspiring leader who values service and high ethical values.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 28 with preliminary rounds held over Zoom. After the first round, the top three will participate in club finals that are set for 7:30 a.m. March 18 (the Rotary provides a note for late arrivals to school due to contest participation). First place receives $250 with scholarships awarded to second- and third-place winners. District semifinals will be in April with district finals in May.
Over the past five years, the Rotary Club of Charles County has sponsored two winners and one third-place winner in the speech contest.
For more details about the speech contest, visit https://www.rotary7620.org/youth-programs/4wt/.
To apply, visit https://forms.gle/YaCpFG64wUYifozv9, or contact Zabriskie at zabriskiect@gmail.com.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).