RYLA Aplications 2024

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Pierre-Fort Pierre SD

Name: Grace M Richter

Gender: Female

School Grade: Junior

School – Pierre T.F. Riggs High School

Primary Phone Number – 605.222.2613

Address: 20502 Buhl Avenue Pierre, SD 57501

Parent/Guardian Information:

Katlyn Svendsen

Phone: 507.829.2387 Email: katlyn.svendsen@hotmail.com

Relationship – Mother

Vision

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

By participating in RYLA, I hope to continue to improve my peer to peer leadership skills. I want to improve my communication skills and discover more about my personal strengths and weaknesses in a safe setting with peers who are like minded. I am interested in continuing to develop skills and build relationships that will benefit me in my future education and career path.

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

“Service Above Self ” is not a new term to me. For me personally I live this motto by helping others with homework before I finish mine, assist with volunteer efforts, and go out of my way to make sure everyone is included in a group setting. This motto is also demonstrated throughout my family as my mom works for state government and often it is said that state government jobs are service over self oriented, ensuring the publics needs are being met often without recognition, high pay, and strange hours.

Past and Current Experience

Have you ever volunteered before? – Yes

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

PARS (Pierre Area Referral Services) – October, November, and December (2023-2024), packaged backpacks full of food.
Vista Care – January (2024), coordinate activities for adults with developmental disabilities.
5th Grade Basketball – October, November, December, January, February, March (2023-2024), assistant coach.
Feeding South Dakota – March (2024), packed bags of frozen food to be shipped across South Dakota.
Elementary Classroom Volunteer – August-March (2023-2024), helped aid elementary children in various school activities.

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

Currently, I am employed in three different positions. I hold a job at our community’s ice cream shop, Zesto, as well as at the governor’s mansion, and additionally at a nearby gymnastics facility(Rise Gymnastics). I have worked at Zesto for 2 years, depending on the night I could be working the till, making the ice cream, or being the manager and cooking the food. Working at the mansion I serve as an event coordinator. This involves food preparation, serving guests, events, decorating, and general logistics for assisting. I also serve as a liaison for the Governor’s Office and her residence, providing any services that the Governor needs to coordinate. The duties vary based on what needs currently exist. Working at rise gives me a little break. I get to have fun with little kids and run camps. I will check people in and out of camp. During camps and lessons I show kids how to do stunt moves and play games with them. I also babysit as much as I can.

Have you received any awards or honors? – Yes

List awards or recognition

Accepted into National Honors Society, Major lettered in Soccer, (2021), Major lettered in Track, (2022), Major lettered in Basketball, (2023), Honor Roll for GPA, Second Place State Basketball, (2023), Fifth Place State Basketball, (2024), Fourth Place State Soccer, (2023), and Ninth Place State Track Team Overall, (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

Attending school holds great significance for me as it paves the way for my success and enables me to pursue my desired career post-graduation. School serves as the cornerstone for my future life. It not only provides me with the chance to acquire knowledge but also enhances my abilities in time management and social interactions. Going to church is important to me because it allows me to make my relationship with God and my family stronger. I love going to church activities and meeting new people and creating new relationships. As a three sport athlete, sports are very important to me. I am dedicated and determined to perform my best under any circumstances. The best thing about sports is the relationships it brings to my life. Currently I participate in a leadership class called Gov-To-Gov. In this class we are given the opportunity to mentor in our school and in the community. At our school we focus on mentoring the freshman to make their first year of high school as easy as possible. I also take time each week to mentor in an elementary classroom. In this class we also participate in loading backpacks full of food for children in need and cleaning up the community. As a member of NHS(National Honors Society), one thing I do is volunteer at Feeding South Dakota. Feeding South Dakota provides temporary food assistance to thousands of individuals each week.

applications

Rotary District 5630