The Jim Thorpe Rotary Club recognized three students who attended last summer's Rotary Youth Leadership Award Conference. The students were Shannon Streff and Matthew Curreri from Carbon Career and Technical Institute and Erin Shigo from Jim Thorpe Area High School. Rotary members honored the students at their regular Tuesday lunch at the Molly Maguire Pub in Jim Thorpe.

The Jim Thorpe Rotary has a long tradition of sponsoring students to attend this program for high school sophomores who demonstrate leadership potential in their home, school and community. The conference is designed to introduce students to thoughts and ideas that strengthen and develop leadership skills. It also provides an environment where students exchange their ideas with other young people from northeast Pennsylvania. The conference lasted five days at the campus of Keystone College in LaPlume.After lunch, each student addressed the club about their experience at RYLA. Shannon Streff revealed her personal growth through her interactions with peers from other schools while Erin Shigo shared her initial apprehension to attend RYLA but came away with a new confidence, determined to be actively involved in her school. Matthew Curreri spoke of being able to assist others in his team project and to be more energized to participate in school and community.Patti Borger, candidate for state representative, attended the Rotary meeting and explained to students how the first leadership conference inspired her to do more for her community and ultimately led her to seek the position of state representative.