Letter to the Editor

To: Jon Bauman, RYLA Chair

 

Jon,

I have come to the conclusion that it is impossible to sum up something that has changed your whole life in one simple letter.  In fact, we had to prove or refute a thesis a few days ago in English class, arguing that all events of the human experience can be described in words.  Anyone who has ever experienced the magic of RYLA knows that this thesis is in fact false, and that four days at Camp Pinerock with 164 beautiful leaders simply cannot be described in words.  That being said, I will make an attempt at explaining the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.  I am not, by any means a writer, but after last years letter to you, I want to make it a tradition to thank the people that have eternally changed my life; even though I know that I can never repay you for all you have given me.  So, I guess my endless rambling will have to suffice for the time being.

Rotary, specifically RYLA, has changed my life in ways I never thought possible.  Getting the chance to come back this year as a Junior Counselor was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had; not to say it was the easiest.  Being able to see RYLA from a different perspective was something that I am so glad I got the opportunity to experience, because I can say with confidence that it has changed me for the better.  

Flashback to me sophomore year of high school.  Any of my parents, family members, and close friends will attest to the fact that I am not the same Madison I was last January 17th.  Sure, I did well in school, I was nice to people, I tried my best.  But there was a spark that hadn't fully surfaced.  I walked into RYLA 2014 thinking absolutely nothing of it, and came out having my life forever changed.  RYLA affects people in ways that aren't able to be explained without sounding cliche or sound like you are making it up.  Last year’s RYLA taught me what it was like to work in a group, what it means to be a leader, how to public speak.  But this year’s RYLA taught me more than I could have ever imagined.  I walked into the weekend thinking that I would show my team how leadership was done, and left realizing that they had taught me way more than I could have ever taught them. RYLA taught me that being a leader isn’t being in charge of how people act, or should act.  RYLA taught me that the best way to lead is to love.  RYLA showed me that if something doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you.  RYLA showed me to love others in a way that no one can comprehend.  But most of all, most importantly, RYLA gave me a family.  I cannot count the number of people that have hugged me, called me, texted me, and congratulated me on my award.  Two years ago, not even my wildest dream could have predicted that my life could be THIS good.  Coming from being an only child, I now have more family than I can count, and I could not be more blessed and thankful.

Even though it was less than a week ago, a lot of Monday morning seems like some sort of blur; like a dream.  I remember sitting in a circle with the rest of Team Sweden, as the Luke Lewis Committee began to take the stage.  I heard them speaking of who this amazing man was, and I heard them call my name.  Everything after that was filled with an overabundance of emotions from every angle.  My group sprinted towards me and surrounded me in a group hug, endlessly chanting my name as I burst into tears.  At that moment I knew without a doubt in my mind I had conquered myself.  The only thing standing in my way this weekend was myself.  And yeah, I made it more difficult for myself, but I learned so much about who I am, about being a leader, about being a human.  This moment in my life was so surreal, and I will remember it forever.  Being surrounded by my Rotary family and the beautiful people I have the blessing to know was a dream.  I couldn’t tell you exactly what I said in my speech, but I know that I have never been so thankful and felt so blessed than in that specific moment in time.

Thank you Jon, and so so many more people that have and continue to change lives.  I truly don’t think you will ever know the impact you have had on not only me, but hundreds of other teenagers that have had the privilege to experience the magic that is RYLA.

Thank you,

Maddie Edmonds