MCKINLEY MAGNI
SOUTHWICK – Although McKinley Magni is entering her junior year of high school, she has already established herself as a leader.
The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional High School student was selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program at Springfield College in June and was then chosen by her peers there o attend the World Affairs Seminar in Wisconsin in June of 2014.
“I learned so much,” Magni said of her RYLA experience.
The day-long event included team building exercises that allowed leaders to stand out, such as ropes courses. Magni said they used verbal and non-verbal communication to get through the events.
“I learned that you have to open up to a lot of answers,” she said. “Your brain is programmed to find that one answer to solve a problem, but you have to look at all different angles to solve a problem.”
Magni said participating in the rotary event has inspired her to continue to give back to the community, something she started doing through 4-H.
“I’m in my sixth year at 4-H and it is my life,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about leadership, independence and agriculture.”
Ellen Miles of the Southwick Rotary said she was proud of Magni.
“I think she did a great job,” said Miles. “I’m not surprised she was chosen to go to Wisconsin.”
Magni said the Wisconsin event will be attended by students from around the world.
It is a big event,” she said. “I’m excited.”
Magni’s mother Betz said she and Magni’s father Kelly are proud parents.
“I am very proud of her,” she said. “She has taken the initiative to better herself as a leader. I admire her independence.”
The admiration is mutual.
“I have learned so much from both my parents,” she said.
Magni said her mother, a teacher, and her own teachers have also inspired her to pursue a teaching career, which will benefit from her RYLA experiences.
“I always said I would not be a teacher, but I see how much my teachers have inspired me and I want to do that,” Mani said. “I want to inspire even one student to do something great.”
In addition to a teaching career, Magni said her future plans include joining the Rotary Club and other organizations that give back to the community.
Miles said Magni’s trip to Wisconsin will be paid for through the Rotary district of northern Connecticut and western Massachusetts. She will be part of a group of 12 students from the district attending the week-long conference next year.
