Kylie Ruiz, a 17 year-old senior at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, MI., recently won the opportunity to spend 10 months in Argentina in the '26-'27 Rotary International Youth Exchange Program!

Kylie is an Afro/Latina seeking to learning more about all aspects of her culture and heritage. She's also a straight "A" student and very active in her school, her church and her community.

She and her older brother grew up in a single-parent home with a loving mom whose sole focus has always been helping her children realize their dreams. Kylie's dream to travel abroad and experience a totally new world is finally coming true. She plans to return to Kalamazoo and help other girls and boys understand that it's cool to dream and then work and get involved in progams to make those dreams come true.

Kylie will live with a family and attend high school in Argentina. Although she is repeating her senior year, she is excited for the opportunity to become immersed in the culture. She'll enroll in Michigan State University using the Kalamazoo Promise when she returns in 2027.

While Rotary will conver many of the expenses, Kylie is responsible for raising a substantial amount. Kylie is my mentee in the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo's STRIVE mentoring program at Loy Norrix. I told her about the exchange program and helped convince her mom to let her go for it. I am also committed to helping Kylie in every way I can to raise money for this awesome opportunity.

As a woman who has traveled extensively and the founder of Global Girls, an organization dedicated to empowering girls to use their voices and help other girls, I will help my first Kalamazoo Global Girl, Kylie, raise funds to turn her dream into a reality.

Thanks to the Rotary club of Kalamazoo STRIVE mentoring program and Rotary District 6360.

And, a huge thanks to all of you for investing in Kylie, one of today's youth living a powerful dream.