Though they have returned to their normal routines, Iola students who recently attended a Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp in Oklahoma, have brought their lessons back with them and are applying them to their lives.
Judy Brigham, president of the Iola Rotary Club, said the camp aims to change lives and teach the youth leadership skills.
?This camp is so good. You should see the difference from when they first leave and when they come back. Several of these students have a difficult time speaking in front of a group and to others, but they come back with the ability to do anything,? she said.
Matt Stuckey, a youth leader at Wesley United Methodist Church, selected students to attend the camp, who were then sponsored by the Rotary Club.
The students spoke of their experiences at the Oct. 17-20 camp in Tahlequah at Rotary?s Thursday meeting.
When campers arrived they were put into groups, with kids they did not know, and shared their life stories.
Iola High School students show members of the Rotary Club a dance they learned at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp on Thursday at Allen Community College. REGISTER/ERIC SPRUILL
This seemed to have had a major effect on all the campers.
?It made me realize that my life, when compared to those of others, is pretty good,? Riley Jay said. ?It made me open up a little and to not judge a person by how they look. This experience was life-changing for me.?
Jack Adams, who hitched a ride with Jay following a cross-country meet, said he tried everything he could to avoid the camp, because he didn?t know what it was. But with the persistence of his family and a ride from his teammate, he had no choice.
?It taught me to step out of my comfort zone, experience new things and help others,? he said.
Dillon Slaven said one of the biggest obstacles was confronting his fears head on.
