Clearwater YMCA camp leader receives prestigious honor.
Blue Ridge Leaders School has been focusing on the efforts of Leaders Club programs at YMCAs and supporting, encouraging and shaping the leaders of tomorrow since 1922. Every year, the YMCA of the Suncoast sends promising young leaders to the school and they come back with newfound independence, confidence and leadership capabilities. This year, our very own Rachel Basmaci, from the Clearwater Y, was awarded one of the eight available honor leader awards. Being chosen as an honor leader is not only a prestigious opportunity, but a great responsibility as well.
Rachel joined the CIT (counselor in training) program in 2011 and immediately fell in love with helping people and strengthening her community. This appreciation inspired her to join the Teen Leaders program, which is where she learned about Blue Ridge.
“I see Blue Ridge impacting me for the rest of my life,” says Rachel. “It has had a huge impact on defining who I am and making sure that I stick to my morals, my motivation, dedication and especially my passion.”
These goals are both unique and ambitious for her generation and it was a combination of her long standing involvement with the YMCA and her time spent at Blue Ridge leader school that helped her to form these impressive aspirations.
Becoming an honor leader is not an easy feat. Out of the 800 students that attend Blue Ridge each year, only eight are chosen for the award; four boys and four girls. When asked how she got there, Rachel claims it was her genuine love for doing good and positively impacting lives.
“I just went day-by-day, following my passion.” Rachel says Vickie Shire, who is in charge of the Leaders Club program at the Clearwater YMCA, was beaming with pride for Rachel. Vickie has watched her grow for the past five years and truly considers her family.
“I appreciate her and love her and to see her get that reward meant everything in the world to me," said Vickie. She says Rachel is constantly doing great things for people and her community and she expects no reward.
“My favorite part of being on the mountain this year was finally seeing Rachel be recognized for everything she does for others.” As an honor leader, Rachel will return to Blue Ridge next summer and be in charge of conveying the message of Blue Ridge to the leader division, staff and those attending.
The chosen honor leaders are responsible for planning the following year’s school in its entirety. This means they come up with themes, words of the day and decide what they want to focus on teaching the leaders. Vickie is confident that Rachel is going to excel in this role and so is everyone else at the YMCA of the Suncoast. Congratulations, Rachel and good luck next year!