Speaker - Chloe Smith & Annie Lennam, Camp RYLA Feedback

Tue, Nov 14th 2017 at 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Fiona Wells expressed a huge thank you to all those who contributed to this year’s Shoebox Collection. Particularly Greyfriars, Canongate and Kingsbarns Primary Schools, Ryman, Holy Trinity Church and St Leonard’s Church Sunday School

A magnificent number of 283 boxes, containing a huge variety of household items, toys, books and much more will go to Eastern European Countries where the children and some families will be delighted to receive them this Christmas.

Youth Projects committee chairman Deirdre Mansbridge then introduced Chloe Smith and Annie Lennam who were this year sponsored by both Kilrymont and St Andrews Rotary Clubs to attend Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) at Abernethy in July.

Both girls are aged 17 and were chosen from a sizeable number of candidates to take part in the annual RYLA gathering.

Annie, a St Leonard’s School pupil, told of the many events in which they had taken part, including kayaking, mountain biking, gorge walking and so on. All of the disciplines are designed to promote confidence building, improvements in leadership qualities and team-building in the youngsters.

She said when younger she had struggled to speak up in group situations but that had now changed significantly as result of her worthwhile experience at Camp RYLA.

Chloe, a student at Madras College, explained how she had formed great relationships with her team when leading them on a 12-mile mountain bike ride in dreadful weather conditions. They got through the worst of the weather by singing songs from the ABBA musical Mamma Mia all the way up – and all the way down!

Both girls agreed that learning to be a good leader is all about good delegation and the whole team being collaborative and looking out for each other.

And both believe the RYLA experience will help throughout their lives and thanked Rotary for the funding and support which allowed them to enjoy the experience.

In proposing a vote of thanks Mike Dow raised a laugh from both girls and the assembled audience when he announced, “It’s said that only one man in 1000 is a leader of men. The other 999 follow women!”

He thanked the girls for an eloquent presentation and reckoned their time spent in Abernethy would be a significant springboard for their futures.

President John Spittal closed the proceedings by presenting a certificate of achievement to Chloe Smith. Annie will receive hers from the Rotary Club of St Andrews.

Deirdre Mansbridge, Chloe Smith, Annie Lenham and President John Spittal