The delegates for the Camp Royal annual leadership retreat, sponsored by the Rotary Club, have been chosen. Juniors Newton Kwan and Emily Orwig will represent Campo in Hayfork among the other 145 campers from across Northern California. They will spend a week with the other juniors participating in various leadership activities the first week of the summer.
Although unsure of what the camp is about, Kwan was happy about being selected.
“I didn’t know what it was in the beginning, and I had seen Ryan Gannet always wear that sweatshirt that said Camp Royal, but I didn’t know what it was. I didn’t apply for it, but my counselor recommended me and so I got accepted to go,” he said. “I was excited, ecstatic. To have the opportunity to be chosen to go somewhere is obviously a good feeling. It must be something something worth my time if only 2 people were chosen to go for each Rotary Club.”
Both Orwig and Kwan are looking forward to the trip after talking to previous campers, such as La Puma staff member Colleen O’Brien and ASB president Ryan Gannet. Orwig said, “I’ve heard that it’s really cool and you’ll have a great experience, life changing.”
Kwan added, “I’m not really sure what to expect, but after talking to Colleen and Ryan Gannet, they both told me it was truly and incredible experience.”
He believes that his “inspirational” qualities earned him the spot. “I try and make a point to have everyone I’m associated with see me as someone I can look up to and someone that can inspire with the actions that they do everyday; not just what I’ve accomplished but who I am as a person. I want to create an environment where everyone can preform at their best level, and when they think of me they think of someone who can inspire.”
Orwig cites her captain position on the soccer team and her leadership in the community service club, Interact, as the reasons for her selection.
Although they will face challenges at the camp, they are both hoping to bring back leadership skills to Campo. Kwan said, “It’s going to be interesting to meet and build relationships, and hopefully learn a lot from people who don’t live near me and have different perspectives on life. I want to come out of there able to be a stronger person and to build more character and to lead and inspire others in a better and more effective way.”
Orwig is also focusing on the social aspect of the trip. “I think that it will also be a good experience for me to be able to learn how to be able to not be as nervous to open up and meet new people,” she said.
She added, “Since I’m a team captain on my soccer team, I think it will be really beneficial to just learn new leadership skills, to learn how to be a more effective leader.”
