RYLA Aplications 2026

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Other

Name: Stephanie Marquez Cell

Gender: Female

School Grade: Sophomore

School – Grand Island Senior High

Primary Phone Number – 308.589.0933

Address: 1010 E 6th St Grand Island, NE 68801

Parent/Guardian Information:

Norma O Cell de Marquez

Phone: 308.383.7019 Email: [email protected]

Relationship – Mother

Vision

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

If honored by being able to participate in RYLA I really hope to gain more knowledge and expand more on my leadership skills. I hope that with these leadership skills I will be able to implement them outside of camp and into any environment like school, clubs, church, and more. I aspire to be seen as a person of inspiration for others who hope to become leaders someday and if given the chance to participate in RYLA I hope to work more on the skills that I want to improve. Currently I wish to work more on my overall confidence when it comes to leading others. Personally I feel like I’ve been put in some leadership positions where I’ve done a good enough job but haven’t ultimately felt confident in myself and in my own actions. However, I am sure that as I continue to grow as a person and grow in my experiences that my confidence will grow as I put that more into practice and become a more inspirational leader, in which RYLA would really help me gain. By participating in RYLA I anticipate to achieve these things and be able to work with others around me as they put their skills into practice as well and see whose goals and values also align with mine in order to slowly work towards them while learning so much more about leadership in communities.

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

Rotary’s motto “service above self” significantly means to me that it is crucial to help others when they are in need and serving the community when it matters. Not only that but it also means to embrace integrity and follow the values of doing what’s right for the good of others and not asking for something in return and being able to maintain that altruism to one’s character. As leaders, it is vital that we step up to opportunities when offered and be capable of implementing strategies that will change communities for the better. For me it also reminds me about charitable causes in the community today that work hard to help other individuals who are in need of service and step up to do what’s right.

Past and Current Experience

Have you ever volunteered before? – Yes

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

8/24/24 & 8/24/25 : For this experience during the Nebraska State Fair Marathon I volunteered to help guide runners in the right direction, cheer them on, and even wore a vest to stop traffic to let runners pass

12/12/24 & 12/12/25 : For this experience I volunteered at the Toys for Tots Holiday Distribution in which I worked as a bilingual person shopper and helped guide parents find the right gifts for their children.

9/27/25 : For this experience I volunteered at Scoops Ice Cream Parlor at the Nebraska State Fair for an event to help take customer orders and prepare them

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

Throughout middle school I was awarded with a certificate of National Junior Honor Society, was a part of Honor Roll, selected as a D.C Diplomat, and was even chosen to be a part of the Honor band. In high school where I am currently enrolled I have so far been awarded with certificates of attendance, student of the week, student of the quarter, school monogram for academics, and given a varsity letter award for cross country. I have also consistently been earning medals for my races for cross country and track since middle school.

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

In order of importance I have recently been accepted into Youth Leadership Tomorrow Class 30 & Youth Philanthropy Board. I also have participated in the sports of cross country and track for a while and it has truly helped me gain good sportsmanship. I am also a part of the marching band and within that, part of Tri-M a newly formed leadership organization by the director in order to show the positive influence the band can bring into the school’s environment. Lastly throughout my years in middle school I was also a part of the morning announcements club.