One of the best qualities a young person can learn is leadership. It can be displayed in many forms, and utilized in so many facets of life, both personally and professionally.
The Ligonier Rotary Club has nominated four West Noble students to procure those leadership skills to parlay later in life, or even in current moments with their peers and community. Specifically in the short term, the students - Layne Targgart, Donald Baker, Emily Chiddister and Giselle Reyes - will be attending a camp and potential Rotary engagements in and around the Ligonier community. The four from West Noble are formally receiving the Rotary Youth Leadership Award.
“I’d eventually like to help with fundraising events,” noted Baker of some of the Rotary community events he’d like to partake in, including a disc golf event at Kenney Park. “After going to their meetings, I realized that I really enjoy their club. Makes me want to start a Rotarian club for youth here at West Noble. Work alongside with them. Help make Ligonier and Noble County a better place.”
Added Chiddister, “I feel like this highlights what it takes to be a leader. This puts you in front of people that you wouldn’t be in front of otherwise. This gives you a confidence that maybe wouldn’t be there without this experience. This makes me realize there are more people watching me than I realized. It helps keep me more in line. Not that I was out of it, but this forces me to step up and be a better person.”
The four West Noble students were honored at Tuesday evening’s school board meeting, where Ligonier Rotary Club President, Margarita White, noted the excitement the Rotary Club has for this group of students.
“We are incredibly proud to have these four students represent both West Noble and the values of Rotary through their participation in RYLA,” White said. “They were selected because they each demonstrate strong leadership potential, positive character, a willingness to serve others, and the ability to make a meaningful impact within their school and community. RYLA is about developing future leaders, and these students exemplify the kind of integrity, teamwork, and initiative that gives us confidence in the future. We are excited to see how this experience helps them continue to grow as leaders.”