On December 11, the Hilton Perimeter Suites was filled with anticipation as seven Outbound Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) students, ages 15 to 18, gathered for the Big Reveal. Selected from a competitive pool of more than 50 applicants, these students are preparing to embark on life-changing journeys abroad during the 2026–2027 school year. The Rotary Youth Exchange program embodies Rotary’s mission of fostering world understanding, goodwill, and peace. Through exchange, students become global citizens, peace builders, and ambassadors of goodwill. The program challenges them to develop resilience, adaptability, and leadership skills that will serve them as the next generation of leaders.

The energy in the room was palpable as each student stepped forward to pop a balloon, unveiling the name of their host country. Cheers erupted with every reveal, culminating in the final announcement: Roswell Rotary’s own Kellen Pierce will spend his exchange year in Brazil! Kellen, a 15-year-old student at Innovation Academy in Alpharetta, joined his peers in celebrating this milestone moment.

The journey ahead is rigorous. Over the next six months, RYE students will undergo orientation and training, complete home study assignments, and begin language acquisition. Only after meeting these requirements will they graduate into the program and obtain the symbolic blue blazer. Parents also play a vital role, contributing $6,000 to cover transportation and insurance costs. This investment of time, effort, and resources is more than preparation for a year abroad, it is preparation for a lifetime of service and leadership. Rotary Youth Exchange equips students not only to represent their communities but also to build bridges across cultures, strengthening Rotary’s vision of peace and understanding worldwide.  To learn more, click here.

For a complete list of our district’s RYE students, including their high schools, sponsoring Rotary clubs, and destinations, please see the table provided.