RYLA Aplications 2026

Personal Data

Rotary Club: Rapid City Rushmore SD

Name: Ella O Schleiffarth

Gender: Female

School Grade: Sophomore

School – Saint Thomas More

Primary Phone Number – 605.981.0849

Address: 4025 Westview Estates Dr Rapid City, SD 57702

Parent/Guardian Information:

Heidi Schleiffarth

Phone: 608.345.7646 Email: [email protected]

Relationship – Mother

Vision

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

I hope to gain a new sense of confidence and leadership. I hope to gain skills to step outside of my comfort zone more often. I believe I can gain these skills through the RYLA camp and interacting with my peers. I want to carry these skills into all areas of my life and use them for the rest of it.

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

Service above self means not only putting the community’s needs before your own, but wanting the best for everyone. Service should be a top priority to make your community better, and therefore, the world a better place. Serving others shouldn’t be done for selfish reasons; for example, because it is required or because it looks good on a resume, but because you genuinely want to help others and the community.

Past and Current Experience

Have you ever volunteered before? – Yes

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

On Wednesday nights, I babysit in the nursery at the church. This position requires patience and understanding. I am expected to care for children under six for around an hour and a half while their parents are in classes. My school hosts a day where the entire school system packs meals for the hungry in Africa and other places, such as Honduras. This happens once a year in March. I help set up, pack food, run stations, and then clean up the event. I have volunteered at a nursing home. At these nursing homes, I interviewed a couple about their lives and wrote a short memoir. I also spent time in conversation with the residents. I have volunteered at Youth and Family Services, creating dental bags for the youth and baking cookies for the YFS donors. I also participated in Teen Court on a couple of Mondays. I was a part of the jury and helped decide the task(s) a minor must complete to remove the crime they have committed from their record. This is decided through a mini trial of their peers.

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? – No

List awards or recognition 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

1. School and Club Volleyball
2. Track/Running
3. Yearbook
4. HOSA
5. Cross Country
6. Softball
7. Youth Group Confirmation Classes