Peace Essay Contest - RYLA Students

Rotary District 5650 implemented an essay contest during RYLA camp. It was patterned after an International Pease Essay Contest.

 

On February 22nd, 2025, Rotary International opened its seventh Peace Center at Bahcesehir University in Istanbul, Turkey. At that time the Rotary Club of Istanbul held an International Peace Essay Contest for the youth of the world to enter their 400 best words to describe the meaning of peace with the top three essays receiving an award and a cash prize.

 

My thought instantly was why not have an Peace Essay contest in the fall during my year as District Governor for our RYLA students and give them the same opportunity. We have thoughtful, gifted youth right in our own Rotary District 5650.  I was positive they would meet the challenge. I presented my idea to Kathryn Schubert, RYLA Chair, Past District Governor, and she agreed that the Peace Essay idea was something that could be part of the RYLA Camp with Launch Leadership in September.

 

The guidelines and questions for the RYLA students Peace Essay are the same as outlined for the Rotary Club of Istanbul except for some source material was added regarding Rotary's International Peace Park in Waterton, Alberta, Rotary Action Group For Peace, Rotary, Our Causes--Promoting Peace. The essays are original and unpublished. Any source material needed to be cited.  No AI generated content. The purpose of the Peace Essay for the RYLA students -- to foster thoughtful discourse and critical thinking among young people, a space for sharing ideas, perspectives, and solutions related to international peace. Guiding principles - Originality: We value fresh insights and creative thinking. RYLA students are encouraged to express their unique perspectives on achieving peace in a complex world.

 

Ideas the RYLA students considered when responding to the Essay on International Peace:
*Does peace simply mean the “absence of war” among nations?
*Is there any link between “sustainable development” and peace?
*⁠Can ordinary citizens help realize peace among nations?

*What can young people do in the name of international peace?
*What is the significance of a peace pole, garden, and park?

Resources
Rotary’s International Peace Park, Waterton, Alberta, Canada
https://www.watertonglacierpeacepark.org/
https://www.rotary.org/en/our-causes/promoting-peace
https://www.rotaryactiongroupforpeace.org/
 

After just a weekend and a few days to write their Peace Essays, the RYLA students submitted multiple submissions. The results were amazing! Picking the top three Peace Essays was almost impossible, but these are the top three.  I know all of them are going to do great things in the world!

$200 First Prize - Sraavya Doddapaneni

$175 Second Prize - Cora Jones

$150 Third Prize - Stella Davis

The top three RYLA students and their families along with a few other RYLA students were invited to an afternoon presentation on RYLA led by Kathryn Schubert, RYLA Chair, Past District Governor, at the Rotary District Conference on Saturday, October 18th, 2025. Sraavya, Cora, and Stella read their Peace Essays in front of the whole audience. That took some courage and they did a fantastic job!!  Kathryn and I presented them with their Peace Essay Certificates, Prize Checks, and Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution pins.

 

I couldn't be prouder for all of them and their families for this great accomplishment!  A great big thank you to Kathryn Schubert, RYLA Chair, Past District Governor, who was a great partner in helping me realize this dream for the RYLA students.  I gave her a Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution pin as well.

 

Peace starts with us and we can be the change we seek.

 

Sincerely,

Robert Rapp