Keilani Malufau
Keilani Malufau did not know anyone when she walked into the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards conference.
“I think that’s what made it more fun, because it gave me the chance and the opportunity to talk to a bunch of new students from all over northeast Ohio,” the Brookfield High School junior said.
Each year, the Brookfield Rotary Club sends one Brookfield junior from the Interact Club to the RYLA conference, an “intensive leadership conference,” according to the Rotary website. After consultations with last year’s recipient, Alexia Baker, and teachers, Keilani was selected, said high school guidance counselor Lynn Pegg, who also is adviser to the Rotary-sponsored Interact Club.
“I am so grateful I was chosen for this,” Keilani said.
The conference was held Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the Marriott Hotel in Canfield. There were speakers and activities that focused on communication and team building, Keilani said. In one exercise, two people tried to fold paper the same way without seeing what the other was doing or being able to talk to each other. Another activity involved navigating a blindfolded partner through a course.
Keilani also participated in building a building from note cards with other members of a group, and transferring a marble from person to person through tubes without allowing the marble to fall.
“You don’t have to have the same interest as someone and be the exact same to get along, come up with ideas, be friends,” Keilani said. “I think that’s something everyone can take.”
Pegg said the appreciation for the RYLA conference seems to be growing.
“What is really cool to me is that from the beginning – this is the third student that I have been involved in sending – and from the very first student to now it’s been very great to see the information they bring back and how excited they are,” she said. “It seems like that enthusiasm just keeps growing year after year.”
Noting that Keilani is part of a group chat of RYLA participants, Pegg said, “Building relationships outside our community and our school district is probably one of the goals there. It is a great thing that they’re doing.”
Keilani is a member of the Interact Club, student council and Spanish Club; plays soccer and softball; is a cheerleader; and takes college classes through the College Credit Plus program. Outside of school, she works for Philadelphia Candies in Hermitage.
“I like to keep myself busy,” she said.
Keilani is eyeing a career in healthcare, possibly as a nurse.
“I just want to care for other people,” she said.
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