Kittitian Youth participate in the Rotaract Club of St. Kitts and St. Maarten Sunrise Student Exchange Project

Master Sheldon Richards, Rotaract Clubs of St. Kitts and St. Maarten Sunrise Student Exchange delegate participating in a working session during the 2013 District 7020 RYLA Conference.

Basseterre, St. Kitts – Fifteen year old, Sheldon Richards, a student of the Saddlers Secondary School returned to the Federation on Sunday 17th February 2013, after participating in the Rotaract Clubs of St. Kitts and St. Maarten Sunrise Student Exchange Project.

The young scholar spent seven (7) days with a host family and attended the St. Dominic High School with an Interactor (members of school-based Rotary clubs) during his stay.

He also represented St. Kitts and Nevis, as a delegate at the Rotary District 7020 Youth Leadership Awards (R. Y. L. A.), which was held at the Methodist Agogic Centre, in Phillipsburg, from 14th – 17th February 2013. The young ambassador was among two hundred and seventy (270) young persons, (including Interactors from St. Maarten and Sint Martin) that comprised of representatives from Anguilla, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Haiti, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, as well as, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Richards actively engaged in a series of highly interactive sessions, which covered topics such as, effective public speaking, conflict resolution, dealing with bullying in an assertive but non-aggressive manner, to name a few. His leadership skills were polished, and were complemented by team-building and challenge exercises, and included a community service project.

In his own words, the 2012 Most Remarkable Teen stated that “the trip was very rewarding and it gave me the opportunity to be a part of a life changing experience.”

The smiling youth also showered praises on the Rotaract Clubs for selecting him to participate in the initiative.

“I am very grateful to the Rotaract Clubs in St. Kitts and St. Maarten for choosing me. I was very well prepared and benefited from their advice, assistance and guidance. I now have a better understanding of my role within the community, a network of new friends and a firsthand cultural experience of the islands,” said Richards.

The exchange is the second of its kind between the two (2) clubs. The activity seeks to promote cultural and educational diversity and friendship, while strengthening regional integration and youth involvement, based on the ideals of Rotary International.

In 2007, St. Maartener and Interactor Trumane Trotman visited St. Kitts and Nevis for a similar exchange. Since then, she was elected to serve as President of the Rotaract Club of St. Maarten Sunrise, and represented her country in her capacity as the 2011 National Carnival Queen.