In June, members of Arcadia Rotaract traveled to Washington, D.C for the 2017 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) North America Conference, an immersive, multinational training program that encourages Rotary International’s core values of service, fellowship, diversity, and integrity in student leaders.

This year, the conference hosted over 200 delegates from more than 30 countries. Students attended group sessions and project presentations, engaged in creative contests, and met with guest speakers serving local and global communities.

“Rotaract clubs are not only expected to adhere to the responsibilities of their University, but also to the larger rotary community,” said co-president Kristen Stedman ‘19. “Attending workshops that featured prominent rotarians gave us the tools to navigate this aspect.”

Additionally, Arcadia students visited the United States Capitol, the embassies of France and Venezuela, the European Union headquarters, and the Library of Congress.

“By interacting with rotarians from around the world, my understanding of community expanded beyond my local base,” said Erika Raskay ’18. “I was able to experience the event as a member of the global community.”