RYLA Aplications 2026

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Rapid City SD

Name: Ella a Schirber

Gender: Female

School Grade: Sophomore

School – Saint Thomas More High School

Primary Phone Number – 605.787.8877

Address: 323 East Enchanted Pines Drive Rapid City, SD 57701

Parent/Guardian Information:

Laura Schirber

Phone: 605.431.5806 Email: [email protected]

Relationship – Mother

Vision

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

I hope to gain leadership skills and grow in my confidence. I am a good leader around people I am comfortable with. For example, my school is very small, and I am comfortable talking one on one with every single student but out in public I am not. So, by attending RYLA I would be able to grow in my confidence and leadership skills with people I don’t know.

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

Service above self to most, often means putting other’s needs above your own. I agree with this, but I believe that true service goes a step further. I think that service also involves putting other’s wants above your own. For me, this means driving my sister to her friend’s house even when I don’t want to or hanging out with my mom after she had a bad day at work even if my friend’s want to hang out. These actions may seem small compared to bringing food and clothes to those who need them, but they greatly affect everyone around me. I believe in putting other’s wants above my own because I can do it daily and to everyone. I am only able to serve other’s needs at certain times and only to certain people.

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 completed over 80 hours of community, church, school, and family service from eighth grade to freshman year. This year, I have around 30 hours of service and plan to continue. One thing that I have started this year is serving at the church nursery on Wednesday nights. This particular service has allowed me to grow in patience and learn how to lead a different age group that require a different type of leading.

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

I was elected into NHS this year and I have maintained a 4.0 GPA since 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

I have participated in basketball since 7th grade, and I have been on Varsity since 8th grade. I have also participated in varsity cross country since 7th grade, although I was unable to participate this year. Cross country has especially allowed me to become a leader because for the past few years, I have been the oldest girl on the team. This opportunity allowed me to lift people up and encourage them to do their best. I have also run track since 7th grade. In school, I am a committee leader in yearbook club. I am in HOSA, and my friend and I are in the process of reinstituting a speech and debate club. My hobbies include many somewhat artistic activities such as scrapbooking, painting, and more. I also enjoy reading and I am currently reading Oliver Twist, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Naturals Series, and school required books.