Local students attend recent Rotary Youth Leadership Academy sponsored by Lamar Rotary Club
Barbara Crimond | Jun 24, 2026 | Comments 0
From left: Mila Macias, Mae Shelton, Allie Rushton, and Hudson Gourley
Lamar Rotary is so excited to have sponsored four outstanding students from our area for this prestigious opportunity. We started this tradition in 1993, with the exception of the summer in 2021 (Covid) and it is ongoing. We began at Lamar Community College for several years. It became apparent hosting in the mountains was advantageous for many outdoor skills. We are eternally grateful to Mike Renken who introduced us to this amazing program. Eventually, the late Cathy Buxton became the major coordinator. It was obviously a seamless operation with those two at the helm.
Students who recently attended the conference at the Golden Bell Conference Center in Divide, Colorado June 12-15 are Mila Macias, Granada, representing Prowers County Youth Council; Mae Shelton representing Lamar; Allison Rushton representing Holly, and Hudson Gourley representing Walsh. These students have been identified by our Rotary as well as other adults who see them as someone with dedicated leadership skill, communal engagement and an open mind to learning. The activities were both indoors and outdoors with a balance between classroom-based learning and outdoor experiential learning such as hiking, orienteering, high and low ropes courses, bonfires, and teambuilding exercises. Lamar Rotary takes pride in helping to educate young leaders on how to expand their life skills as well as supporting their growth as they take what they’ve learned into their communities.
Judith A Turpin – Lamar Rotary Club
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