Students from Earl L. Vandermeulen High School in Port Jefferson demonstrated outstanding leadership and community engagement as they participated in this year’s Rotary Youth Leadership Association (RYLA) Spring Conference. The event welcomed more than 200 students from Suffolk, Nassau, Brooklyn, and Queens, marking the largest gathering since before the COVID-19 pandemic and underscoring the program’s continued growth and impact.

RYLA, an international leadership initiative sponsored by Rotary International, provides high school students with an immersive experience focused on leadership development, teamwork, and self-discovery. While RYLA programs are held around the world, this particular conference stands out as a fully student-run organization, offering participants a unique opportunity to lead, collaborate, and shape the program themselves.

Senior Lia Donohue played a pivotal role in organizing the event as a member of the highly selective Youth Committee, a group of just seven seniors from different high schools. This student-led committee is responsible for planning and executing all aspects of the conference, including scheduling, speaker coordination, fundraising, and representing RYLA at Rotary events throughout the year. In recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication, Lia was awarded the prestigious Cliff McClean Award for her contributions to advancing the RYLA 7255 program. She will also attend the upcoming Rotary District Conference in Memphis, where she will represent the program alongside her fellow Youth Committee members.

Juniors Bianca Mercante and Nicholas Hogan returned to RYLA as facilitators, taking on leadership roles to guide and mentor younger participants. Drawing on their own experiences as alumni of the program, they led group activities, facilitated discussions, and helped foster an inclusive and supportive environment throughout the weekend. Underclassmen Sienna McCabe, Patrick Hutchinson, and Ruairi Hogan participated as Rylarians, engaging in a series of leadership workshops, team-building exercises, and reflective discussions aimed at strengthening their confidence, communication skills, and sense of purpose.

The participation of these six Port Jefferson students highlights Earl L. Vandermeulen High School’s ongoing commitment to developing student leaders and encouraging meaningful involvement in programs that extend beyond the classroom. Through their involvement in RYLA, these students not only represented their school community with pride but also gained valuable skills that will serve them in their future academic and professional endeavors.