More than 50 students from the cities of Bacolod and Kabankalan participated in a one-day youth leadership camp organized by the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central at TimeOut Restaurant in Bacolod City on Oct. 11.
The activity, dubbed “NewGen Leaders Day Camp,” was designed with the theme “Ignite the Leader Within: Journey from Self to Service.” This reflects Rotary’s belief that true leadership starts from within, club president Joselito Sion said, adding that these students are future leaders of their respective schools, communities, and perhaps even of Rotary itself.
The participants were treated to sessions on self-discovery, communication and collaboration skills facilitated by Josh Santos, Jill Javiniar and Adonis Basa from the Rotary Club of San Juan Supreme. Architect-artist Hilario Campos III also guided them through a workshop on art expression.
The event was also graced by District Governor Victor Acepcion to round up his Negros visit. In his inspirational message, he encouraged the participants to dream big but not limit themselves to only one vision. Acepcion said he wanted to be a lawyer to help his community when he was young but circumstances shifted his directions. Yet, he is still in a position to empower his community as a doctor, city councilor and civic leader, he added.
Among the schools that have participated in the camp were Southland College Kabankalan, Generoso Villanueva National High School, Negros Occidental High School, CenterPhil Montessori Learning Center Inc.- Bacolod, National University Bacolod, St. Rose of Lima School, Handumanan National High School, University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, La Consolacion College Bacolod, Bata National High School, STI-West Negros University and the Bacolod City National High School, whose participants were Interactors of the Rotary Club of Bacolod West.
The New Generations program was first launched in 2011 to empower young leaders from secondary and senior high schools and inspire a life of service guided by Rotary’s core values of Service, Integrity, Leadership and Fellowship.
It also served as a launchpad for the next generation of changemakers by equipping youth with the confidence and compassion to make a difference in their schools and communities.*
