Young leaders win awards at Rotary camp
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

HAPPY HONOREES- High School at Moorpark College juniors Nancy Calderone and Taylor Singer each win a scholarship at a regional Rotary Youth Leadership Camp this month.

Two local students who inspire others to succeed won $500 scholarships at the Rotary Youth Leadership Camp in Ojai earlier this month.

About 150 high school students from Ventura, Santa Barbara and Kern counties attended the regional Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program. The Rotary Club of Moorpark sponsored five youths who attend Moorpark Unified School District schools.

"I haven't been in a place with that many young people who have such a positive energy," said Daniel Arterburn, principal of the High School at Moorpark College.

The RYLA program was established to provide a training experience for selected youth and encourage them to lead their peers positively. Participants are also recognized publicly for the service they provide on campus and at home.

The two local winners, Taylor Singer and Nancy Calderone, are juniors at the High School at Moorpark College. In addition to attending high school, both young women are at the same time completing their first two years of college.

"The girls demonstrated consistent leadership skills and they exemplify the theme of the Rotary Club, which is service above self," Arterburn said. "They don't just initiate ideas but also have a plan on how to make them work."

"The experience made me feel like a better person; I've never left anywhere feeling so empowered," said Taylor, a Westlake Village resident. "I learned how to treat myself and other people better."

Taylor plans to transfer to Cal State San Francisco to major in political and environmental sciences.

"Not everyone is born to be a leader, but at some point in their lives they will have to step up and do something, so they can benefit from this type of training," said Taylor.

"We came back feeling that everyone should have gone to the camp," said Nancy, a Simi Valley resident who plans to transfer to Cal State Northridge to study history and political science.

Participants took part in teambuilding exercises, learned to lead and follow, and practiced public speaking skills.

"We also took ethics courses and listened to motivational speakers," Nancy said.

"The camp is a phenomenal opportunity for students to hone their leadership skills," Arterburn said. "Leadership is a collaborative process that involves everyone; it's not just from the top down, but also from the bottom up."