On May 20, 2010, the Youth Committee turned 1 year old!

In spring of last year, a group of young individuals involved in Rayjon gathered together in a small room to discuss the possibility of creating a Rayjon Youth Committee and what that might look like.

We created a structure, organized some goals and gathered together some volunteers to take part on the committee.

It’s been one year and we have re-evaluated our committee and discussed what worked over the past year and considered what might change.  We realized as a committee we work best in a collaborative group, making decisions together and sharing roles and tasks.  Much of our initial structure was altered.

The Youth Committee had an opportunity to present a one-year report at this past Rayjon Retreat.  Everyone wore Birthday hats, enjoyed some cake and reflected through our presentation on the growth of the youth committee and how successful it has become over the past year.

A Trip Proposal was offered to the participants of the Retreat and then to the Rayjon Board.  The goal of the Youth Committee is to provide a trip opportunity for young people and adults who cannot attend the annual March trip.  Many youth participants are in college or university and do not all share the same reading week.  Instead, a trip would be offered in the Spring.  We are now in the works to developing a Youth Trip in May 2011.

The Youth Committee is also looking forward to the Redbud event and their role in offering a BBQ on Saturday June 19th from 11-5 PM at the event. 

Meet the youth involved in Rayjon, enjoy a burger and pick up a Redbud!

For any information on the Youth Committee please contact Laura Persichetti.

Rayjon would like to congratulate one of our active Youth Members, Hope Bechard.

Hope recently received the 2010 Jim Stokley Scholarship Award through the Bayfest Festival of Performing Arts.

Rogers Bayfest and Johnsonville Sausage join together to create a scholarship for a post secondary student who demonstrates many characteristics that Jim valued.  The award goes to a good student, with a big heart.

Hope has demonstrated these characteristics through her involvement with Rayjon.  She is consistently hardworking, reliable and ready to conquer any challenge through our organization.

Rayjon is truly proud to have such a well-round individual on our team, and we are happy her efforts and compassion have been recognized in our community.

Taken from the Sarnia Bayfest website, Michele Stokley explains:

“Our mission at Rogers Bayfest is to promote, preserve and perpetuate arts and cultural activities. Keeping in line with our mission we are introducing the new scholarship; to carry on and help spread art and entertainment,” says Michele Stokley, Executive Director of Rogers Bayfest.

During the two weeks of Rogers Bayfest, Miss Shelly, one of Johnsonville’s Big Taste Grills™, pulled in to serve up thousands of sausages to hungry concert goers with $1.00 of every sale going to support the new Scholarship.

“Most people do not know that Bayfest is a not-for-profit charity,” says Stokley. “With the introduction of this scholarship we are hoping Bayfest fans will start recognizing Bayfest not only for its great summer performances, but as a charity to create a better understanding of the arts year round.”