From left to right: Eliza Drohan, Lucy Panian, Alison Cammisa, Jordon Surkosky, Hunter Hartley, Zachary Callithen, Joyce Cully, Butler A.M Rotary – President, Dr. Stuart Surkosky, RYLA Liaison and Ms. Candy Hartley, RYLA Liaison pose for a picture after the six students gave speeches on their experience during the RYLA Leadership Camp, Tuesday, at the Butler YMCA.

“You can be the inspiration for others.”

That's the message that Butler A.M. Rotary President Joyce Cully told six local students, who completed the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Leadership camp this summer.

The Rotary invited Lucy Panian, Alison Cammisa, Eliza Drohan, Jordon Surkosky, Hunter Hartley and Zachary Callithen to speak about their experiences. Surkosky is an incoming senior at Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic in Cranberry Township, while the others are students at Butler High School.

The RYLA Leadership camp is offered for students who have completed their junior year in high school.

Panian, who mentioned that the experience inspired her to become a volunteer firefighter, said that the program was “life changing.”

“I know a lot of people have said that, but I really mean it,” Panian said. “I was nervous when I first got there, but there were so many wonderful speakers. They had a real impact on me.”

According to the program, the weeklong retreat — which was held at Westminister University — challenges students in areas of leadership, interpersonal skills, personal reflection and discovery.

The program featured guest speakers, small group discussions and activities.

The Rotary normally sponsors three students to attend the retreat. However, Michael Vislay, a former RYLA attendee and councilor, co-sponsored another three students, donating $1,200 to the Rotary club.

For more information on the Butler A.M. Rotary, visit www.butleramrotary.com.

For more information on RYLA Leadership camps and conferences, visit www.rylaconference.com.

Read more about the students' experiences in the Butler Eagle.