Rotary sponsors 6 Lake Zurich H.S. students for leadership event

The Lake Zurich Rotary Club is sponsoring six students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Conference in East Troy, Wis. this weekend.

Students are chosen on a variety of leadership criteria from the local high schools.

The six students attending the awards conference from Lake Zurich High School are: Jessica Berman, Miranda Flores, Shannon Jesson, Michaela Kapraun, Karen Lai and Mandy Papke.

In all, 120 students from 72 communities are scheduled to attend the conference.

Speakers from across the United States are scheduled to speak to the students on a variety of leadership-based subjects.

The conference began Thursday night, April 5, and ends Sunday morning, April 8.

Speakers include: five-time gold medalist powerlifter Rick Metzger from Ohio; best-selling author Mia Fontain; Larry Scott, uncle of Rachel Scott, who was the first person killed in the Columbine High School massacre 12 years ago this month (Rachel’s Challenge); and Tom Carroll from R.R. Donnelly Co.

The Lake Zurich Rotary Club has sponsored the six students for the all-expense paid leadership conference. It also includes team building and problem-solving stations at and within the camp.

Students who attend the conference, return better trained and prepared to lead at their school and in their communities, said Sean Nelson, who is director of the Foglia YMCA in Lake Zurich and volunteer RYLA chairman. He is also director of this leadership event and another one held in March.