RYLA Aplications 2026

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Grand Island Rotary Clubs

Name: Ethan C Wichman

Gender: Male

School Grade: Sophomore

School – Grand Island Senior High School

Primary Phone Number – 308.850.0774

Address: 4103 Prairie Ridge Lane Grand Island, NE 68803

Parent/Guardian Information:

Kayla Wichman

Phone: 402.319.8791 Email: [email protected]

Relationship – Mother

Vision

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

By participating in RYLA, I hope to grow both personally and as a leader. I am eager to strengthen my leadership abilities while also developing my communication, teamwork, and networking skills.
Although I consider communication a strength, I believe leadership requires continuous growth. I look forward to refining how I collaborate with others, listen to different perspectives, and adapt in new situations. RYLA’s emphasis on teamwork especially appeals to me, as the ability to work effectively with others is essential in any environment. I am also excited to build stronger networking skills and gain confidence connecting with new people.
I plan to carry these lessons forward into my upcoming experience as an exchange student next year. Adapting to a new culture will require flexibility, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build meaningful relationships. I believe the skills developed at RYLA will help me navigate unfamiliar situations with confidence.
Most importantly, I hope RYLA will challenge me, broaden my perspective, and help me become a more confident and capable leader.

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

Rotary’s motto, “service above self,” means putting others before yourself and recognizing that even small actions can make a difference. To me, it represents a willingness to help, support, and contribute without expecting anything in return.
Service above self is not just about volunteering or completing community service hours. It is about mindset. It means being aware of the people around you, stepping in when someone needs help, and understanding that leadership often shows through actions rather than titles. Whether it is helping a classmate, supporting a team, or contributing to the community, service reflects character and responsibility.
I also believe service helps you grow as a person. When you give your time and energy to others, you develop communication skills, patience, and a better understanding of different perspectives. Service often pushes you outside your comfort zone and teaches lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom.
Most importantly, “service above self” means recognizing that success is not measured only by personal achievements, but by how you impact others. By contributing positively to those around us, we help build stronger communities and become better, more thoughtful individuals.

Past and Current Experience

Have you ever volunteered before? – Yes

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

March 27, 2025 – PTO Dodgeball Tournament – I volunteered to help referee and run the bracket for the Westridge Middle School PTO at their Annual Dodgeball Tournament

April 26, 2025 – Westridge Speech Meet – I volunteered to judge a middle school speech meet and stuff packets.

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

Selected by Rotary as a Outbound Exchange Student for the 26-27 Academic Year
Honor Roll each grading period from 7th grade through 10th grade
Academic Letter in 9th 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

GISH Show Choir – 9th and 10th Grades
GISH Boys Golf – 9th and 10th Grades
Skills USA – 10th Grade
GISH Marching Band – 9th and 10th Grades
UNK Honor Band – 9th and 10th Grades
Doane Honor Choir – 9th Grade
GISH Musical – 9th and 10th Grades
GISH Boys Tennis – 9th and 10th Grades
Encore Show Choir – 8th Grade
Westridge Speech – 7th and 8th Grades
Tri City Storm Youth Hockey – 7th and 8th Grades
Cross Country – 7th and 8th Grades
Track – 7th and 8th Grades