RYLA Aplications 2024

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Luverne MN

Name: Zander M Carbonneau

Gender: Male

School Grade: Sophomore

School – Luverne High School

Primary Phone Number – 507.220.5082

Address: 517 N Freeman Ave. Luverne, MN 56156

Parent/Guardian Information:

Molly Carbonneau

Phone: 952.836.8565 Email: m.carbonneau@isd2184.net

Relationship – Mother

Vision

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

Although I’ve had leadership opportunities in the past, I recognize that my learning and growth are far from complete. Recently, during a robotics competition in Northern Minnesota, one of the judges (who happened to be a Rotarian) recommended that I apply for the RYLA program. He told me that it was an excellent opportunity not only to enhance my leadership skills but also to connect with new people from round our region. Intrigued, I made a note to check it out.

I’ll be completely honest: initially, the idea of a weeklong camp in an unfamiliar place was a tough sell. However, my curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to investigate. After all, I genuinely enjoy meeting new people, and the persuasive pitch from the Duluth Rotarian sealed the deal.

Upon reading the camp’s description, my interest grew even more. The focus on civics and leadership caught my attention, and the chance to develop decision-making skills was appealing. Personally, I believe that a leadership camp organized by the Rotary Club would be an ideal opportunity for self-improvement, networking, and honing ethical skills.

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

I have always believed that if you want to serve any group of people, whether it’s captaining a robotics team, or championing advocacy efforts to change laws you must be able to put your priorities on the backburner. It’s a lot easier to try and lead in a dictatorial fashion, putting your aspirations ahead of the groups, admittedly this leadership style can work out well in the short term. You may be able to sacrifice your ethics and the teams’ goals in order to receive short term success. However, through my leadership experiences on Councils, Non-Profit Boards, Teams, and Associations I’ve realized that you can achieve much deeper satisfaction from bettering the situations of others and, in turn bettering the health of an organization.
Mike Huether, former mayor of Sioux Falls put it succinctly in his book “Serve, Lead, Win”. Mr. Huether stated “Embrace the differences of your peers, collaborate with them and find that common ground to make the impossible, possible.”

Past and Current Experience

Have you ever volunteered before? – Yes

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

Rock County Election Judge- 2024 (10 hours on all election days)
-Administering voting procedures, assisting voters, maintaining order, and managing the setup and breakdown of the polling place.

Greater Siouxland STEAM Association (Nonprofit, September 2023-Present)
-Board member, attended monthly meetings, oversees outreach and Legal Advocacy

FIRST LEGO League Referee (December 2023- Present) (February 7th, 2024)
9-Judged Matches for Students 4th-9th grade, Rated Presentations, Collaborated with EMBE in SD

Student Association for STEM Advocacy Advocate (June 25-27) (2023-Present)
Represented SD and MN as a Legislative Advocate, lead meetings with 4 Senate Offices, and 2 Representatives Offices

LHS Cultural Diversity Club Councilman (January 2023- Present) (every Tuesday)
Leadership Board, Founding Member, attend weekly meetings, present topics.

Blue Mounds Area Theatre (Once a Month 2018-2023)
Volunteer for Box Office, Concessions, and Tours

Student Council Luverne (2022-PRESENT)
Plan, Volunteer, and Lead events and experiences. (8+ throughout each year)

Peer Tutoring (September 2023-Present)
Tutor in Math, volunteer when needed.

Living Rock Youth Group (Once per month since 2020)
Serving Meals, Visiting Nursing Homes

Do you currently have a job? – Yes

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

MN Department of Veterans Affairs, Luverne MN — Dietary Aide
February 2024 – PRESENT
Prepare and serve meals for residents.
Assist with kitchen maintenance and cleaning.
Engage with residents.

City of Luverne, Luverne MN — Lifeguard
March 2023 – February 2024
Oversaw all aquatic activities.
Enforced rules, mediated disputes and ensured patron safety.
Responded to emergencies and administered first aid.

Verne Drive In Theatre, Luverne MN — Summer Attendant
June 2023 – PRESENT
Maintained facilities and buildings.
Oversaw payments and food preparation.
Assisted with vehicle mechanic issues.

Have you received any awards or honors? – Yes

List awards or recognition

Outstanding Advocacy Efforts LHS Robotics 2023, 2024.
Most Improved Attorney LHS Mock Trial 2023.
Outstanding Witness LHS Mock Trial 2024.
Most Valuable Player LHS Band 2022.
Most Improved Speech Participant LHS Speech 2021.
Most Valuable Speech Participant LHS Speech 2022.
Most Improved Player LHS Boys Tennis 2023.
Dean’s List Nominee FIRST Tech Challenge 2024.
Dean’s List Nominee FIRST Robotics Competition 2024.
Safety All Star Captain FIRST Robotics Competition 2024.
Timpani Solo Superior Rating LHS Concert Band 2023.
Baritone Superior Rating LHS Concert Choir 2023.

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

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

Speech, Extemporaneous Speaking — MSHSL
January 2021- PRESENT,
3 time State Championship competitor.
2023 Section Champion
Student Council — LHS
September 2022- PRESENT,
2026 Freshman Secretary.
2026 Sophomore Representative.
Mock Trial, Attorney & Witness — MSBA
October 2021- PRESENT,
Defensive Witness Coach.
Casting Committee.
Greater Siouxland STEAM Association — GSSA
November 2023- PRESENT,
Founding Member.
Board Member.
Political Advocacy Director.
Student Association for STEM Advocacy — SASA
April 2023- PRESENT,
MN National Advocacy Conference Representative.
SD National Advocacy Conference Representative.
IA National Advocacy Conference Representative.
Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, — FIRE
January 2024- PRESENT,
Minnesota Young DFL, — MYDFL
October 2021- PRESENT,
Young Americans for Freedom, — YAF
October 2021- PRESENT,
LHS Cultural Diversity Club, — CDC
December 2023- PRESENT,
Leadership Councilman.
Founding Member.
Youth Election Judge, — Rock County
January 2024- PRESENT,
NE Ward Judge.
Dakota News Now Youth Anchor, — KSFY News
June 2023- July 2023,
Lead Reporter.
Anchor.
Peer Tutoring, — LHS
September 2023- PRESENT,
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America, — FCCLA
September 2018- PRESENT,
State Level Presenter 2019,2022,2023 and 2024.
Gold Rated Presenter 2022, and 2023.
FIRST Robotics, — FRC & FTC
January 2021- PRESENT,
Outreach and Advocacy Director.
Team Captain.
Math League, — MSHSML
September 2022- PRESENT,
State Competitor 2023.
Scoring Team 2022,2023, and 2024.
Choir, — LHS
September 2022- PRESENT,
Baritone.
Band, — LHS
September 2022- PRESENT,
Baseline Section Leader.
Theater, — LHS
March 2022- PRESENT,
One Act Play, — MSHSL
February 2023- PRESENT,
Boys Tennis, — MSHSL
February 2023- PRESENT,
Section Champions 2022
Living Rock Youth Group
September 2020- PRESENT
Luverne Aerial Photography
January 2020-PRESENT

applications

Rotary District 5630