Kimberly Schlosser (’14) of Sudlersville, MD, was selected by Gunston faculty to be a representative from The Gunston School and Queen Anne’s County as a delegate to the first Rotary District 7630 RYLA Conference. This award was based on her demonstrated leadership and perceived potential for rendering important service to her school and community. The RYLA Conference was held in Ocean City on February 15-17 with around 100 students from Maryland’s Eastern Shore and Delaware. The conference had a number of purposes, including:

To enable participants to encounter and analyze critical issues of professional and business ethics and to accept responsibility
To become more acquainted with the business and professional worlds
To confront critical social, cultural and environmental issues
To further develop and refine leadership skills
To learn about Rotary and its impact on the greater community
To meet other students from Maryland and Delaware from various racial, social and cultural backgrounds.

During the conference, students were divided into small groups and were given the task of developing a community service project based on an original idea that would have a positive effect on their community. The groups had the opportunity to present their ideas to the whole group, who then voted on the best project. A local rotary club supported the winning project.

Kimberly had the opportunity to speak along with other students from Queen Anne’s County at the Rotary Breakfast in Centreville. She took away from the experience that “Service Above Self,” which is the Rotary’s motto, says it all.