Do you or someone you know, have what it takes to become a dynamic leader and change yourself and the world?
Please write a short essay about why you are interested in RYLA (Rotary Young Leadership Award) and how you will benefit from this award, and email us at: rotarycluboffranklinma@gmail.com.
If you are selected as one of the four recipients, you will be required to join Rotary Club of Franklin MA at our July 21st, 2026 meeting, and tell us about your experience.
Becoming a Rotary member connects individuals with a diverse group of men and women professionals, from all over the world, who share a drive to give back.
Through regular meetings and events, we Rotarian’s: Discuss our community's needs and develop creative ways to meet them. We strive to connect with other leaders who are changing the world.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is an intensive 3 days, 2 overnights, of action packed, interactive and introspective sessions, specifically for High School Students. This program is designed to help students stretch and grow and includes a variety of challenges and enriching sessions.
The RYLA leadership experience is organized by Rotary Clubs and districts, where you develop your skills as a leader while having fun and making connections. This award will be given to four deserving Sophomore students, with a proven record of commitment to their school, community or extracurricular activities, and is designed to reward these student leaders, who have served as heads of clubs, student bodies and more. Even captains of sports clubs may qualify as leaders.
OFFICIALLY SPONSORED students, must commit to all 3 days and will need to register online at https://ryla7910.org/ as an “Attendee”, by 4/15/2026. This will require students to apply between February 1 and March, 20, 2026. We will make our selection from these essays and will notify FHS Student by 4/1/2026. Please see all requirements below.
What our Officially Sponsored Students can look forward to:
Conference Dates and Locations
June 26 – 28, 20263 days, 2 overnights
Early Friday morning until Sunday early evening
Fitchburg State University
138 North Street,
Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978) 665-3000 www.fitchburgstate.edu
Family Reception & Closing Ceremony – (Sunday 2026) (typically mid-late afternoon)
Family Reception, Sunday (typically mid-late afternoon) June 28, 2026
Park in North 1 – 138 North St (where you dropped off your student)
Holmes Dining Hall (381 North street)
Join us for light refreshments
Meet Rotarians
Learn about Rotary
optional but encouraged.
Closing Ceremony
Sunday, time TBD, June 28, 2026
5 min - Walk from closing reception to closing ceremony*
Family and Friends are encouraged to attend
Weston Auditorium
353 North Street, Fitchburg MA
*Parking is available across from Weston for people with mobility issues, however, we encourage people who are able to park in North 1 and walk to Weston (5-10 min walk)
Student luggage will be picked up from Aubuchon (near arrivals/near North 1) after closing ceremony
