RYLA Aplications 2023

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Grand Island Rotary Clubs

Anna M Blake

Female

Junior

School – Grand Island Central Catholic

Primary Phone Number – 308.370.9324

2324 W 11th St

Grand Island, NE 68803

Parent/Guardian Information

Melissa Blake

308.390.4577

amblake@charter.net

Relationship – Mother

Vision

Please explain what you hope to gain by participating in RYLA.

By participating in RYLA, I hope to gain more confidence to allow my inner voice to be heard. I believe in being a strong advocate for both yourself & those who do not have the courage to do so. By being a part of RYLA I hope to explore different ways to advocate and apply them to my everyday life.

Rotary’s motto is “service above self.” What does that mean to you?

“Service about Self,” to me means we need to think about giving back rather than ourselves. I think it is very important to take part in community service as it helps people in need while also building up my courage & gratitude.

Past and Current Experience

Have you ever volunteered before? – Yes

List any past or present volunteer experiences including dates volunteered and position responsibilities.

I have helped teach a 3rd-grade church class since I was 13. These classes start in September and go through April, following the public school system for breaks. Each of these classes is an hour long. I enjoy teaching these little kids it is just way too much fun. That same year I decided to help my dance teacher by assisting her in teaching a couple of classes. Now that I am older, I help teach 4 dance classes. These classes include; 3-year-old ballet, 5-year-old tap and ballet, Intermediate Ballet, and Tap Ballet & Jazz (combo) classes. I help with this for 45 – 1 hour once every week for the school year. I absolutely love this because my dance instructor is someone who I look up to and being able to be by her side to help do something that I love is truly a blessing. I also do some of my services at school. I do this by volunteering at our school fundraisers such as; The Knight, Carnival Cappers, or simply just helping out a teacher. The Knight is my school’s big fundraiser and it happens at the end of November. Carnival Cappers is right around the corner now that we are in March it is this weekend (Sunday, March 19) and I am helping with a game room with one of my friends. I look forward to participating in more community service as I get older. It makes it even more enjoyable when I am with people who I love and respect.

Do you currently have a job? – No

List up to three past or current paid job experience including dates employed and responsibilities. Start with your most recent

Have you received any awards or honors? – Yes

List awards or recognitions that you received for academic, school, or community activities beginning in the 7th grade

Since 7th grade, I have been on the A/B honor role or the all-A honor role. I have also been a part of my dance studio, Heartland School of Dance, since the age of 3. I have received metals and rewards for ballet and tap. My dance teacher is certified to teach exam coursework. We work on this coursework all year and then at the end of the year, I take the exam to determine whether or not I pass. If I pass I get to move up a grade and if I don’t then I take the same grade over again. I have earned bronze & silver for tap as well as distinction, which is the top score, for ballet.

Have you participated in extracurricular activities or organizations? – Yes

Please list, in order of importance to you, any school, religious, social, athletic, hobbies or other activities or organizations which you have participated in since the 7th grade

Dance
Interact, which is a volunteer group at school.
CCD church classes
Choir
Musical