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RYLA District 7255 "Service Above Self"
RYLA Leadership Team
RYLA Youth Committee
Thomas Corso
Shoreham-Wading River High School
Thomas is a student at Shoreham-Wading River High School. He first heard about RYLA from his guidance counselor during his sophomore year. At first, he was hesitant to attend, but his parents and friends who had experienced the program strongly encouraged him to go. He quickly fell in love with RYLA because of the supportive environment created by his facilitators and the RYLA Committee, which helped him feel confident, comfortable, and welcomed. As a leader, Thomas strives to encourage others, create a positive environment, and help people feel comfortable being themselves. As a member of the Youth Committee, his goals are to give back to the program that made such an impact on him, help create the same welcoming experience for future RYLArians and continue growing as a leader. Outside of RYLA, Thomas enjoys spending time with friends and family, fishing, watching movies and TV shows, listening to music, and staying active through track and field. He is also the president of his school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) club, where he works with other students to promote positive choices and make a difference in his school community.
Charlize Noel
Frank Sinatra School of the Arts
Charlize's RYLA journey started at Spring RYLA 2025 when a friend suggested she submit an application. She immediately fell in love with the program and its mission to develop the next generation of leaders. RYLA challenged her to reframe her previous understanding of leadership and consider that it is possible to be both a peer and a mentor for others. Charlize currently attends Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria, Queens, as a drama major. She credits her academic and artistic success to the valuable lessons she's learned during her time at RYLA. Being able to serve her community and see the impact young people can have has been one of the most fulfilling parts of her journey. Outside of RYLA, Charlize spends her time playing guitar, singing, and writing music for her band. She is excited to be on the Youth Committee and create a RYLA experience that is unforgettable!
Adriana Frisina
St. Mary's High School
Adriana’s love for RYLA began when she heard about the program through a friend. She decided to get involved and discovered how meaningful the experience could be. Through RYLA, Adriana has grown as a leader, all while learning the importance of teamwork, gratitude, and empathy. Being part of the Youth Committee has provided Adriana with the opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and create a comfortable space for other high school students just like her. Adriana is currently a student at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, where she is a lacrosse player and a cheerleader. Adriana is also involved in student government, where she applies the skills she learns from RYLA every day. Outside of school and RYLA, Adriana loves to dance and has been dancing for 15 years. Adriana is excited to learn more about being a leader, serve the RYLA community, and help make this year's RYLA experience deeply enjoyable!
Nicholas Hogan
Port Jefferson High School
Nick began his RYLA journey in the spring of his sophomore year after being recommended for the program by a soon-to-be Youth Committee member. After his RYLA experience, Nick quickly fell in love with the program and the one-of-a-kind community it created. The friendships, connections, and personal growth he experienced throughout the program left a lasting impact on him. Nick became a Youth Committee member to give back to the program that gave him so much and to help create that same meaningful experience for future RYLArians. He hopes to help build an environment where everyone feels welcomed, supported, and encouraged to step outside of their comfort zone. Beyond RYLA, Nick is an All-State level violinist and an active member of his school’s soccer and track teams, where he competes in shot put. Through music, athletics, and RYLA, Nick has developed a strong appreciation for teamwork, leadership, and the connections he makes with others.
Max Cummo
Locust Valley High School
Mid year of Max’s sophomore year of high school his guidance counselor recommended he try a program called RYLA. Of course, he was hesitant at first because it was new, but he never expected it to benefit him as much as it did. He gained so much confidence and skills like leadership and team working capabilities because of RYLA. He currently goes to Locust Valley High School as a senior where he plays tennis and volleyball. He loves math and science and hopes to work at N.A.S.A as an aerospace engineer in the future. Being able to experience RYLA changed his life giving him opportunities and experiences that will be unforgettable. When he is not involved in RYLA he likes to sing, play sports with friends and play video games during his free time. He is so excited for what is to come in the next year as a member of the Youth Committee and make the RYLA experience just as amazing as he had!
Polina Semenko
North Shore High School
Polina’s RYLA journey started with a Key Club announcement and her inability to say no to trying something new. She signed up for Spring RYLA not knowing what to expect. Spoiler: that weekend ended up becoming one of the best experiences she could have said yes to. RYLA pushed Polina outside of her comfort zone, helped her grow as a leader, and introduced her to an incredible community. She left Spring RYLA knowing she wanted to stay involved, later returning as a facilitator and now serving on the Youth Committee. Saying yes to RYLA became one of Polina’s best decisions, and now she hopes to help make every Rylarian's “yes” to RYLA just as meaningful. Originally from Ukraine, Polina now attends North Shore High School, where she is involved in varsity lacrosse, Model United Nations, Mock Trial, and DECA. Outside of school, she loves listening to music, reading, learning about history and exploring new Polina is beyond excited for another year of RYLA and all the growth, memories, and unforgettable moments still to come!
Reese Swiatocha
Southampton High School
Reese first joined RYLA in the fall of 2024 after her sister encouraged her to register. What began as a new opportunity quickly became a meaningful experience that shaped her interest in leadership and community. Becoming more deeply involved, Reese was a facilitator for the mermaid group in spring 2026, where she experienced the strong sense of connection, purpose, and support that defines the RYLA community. Through her time in RYLA, Reese has grown significantly as a leader. She has developed her ability to collaborate, communicate clearly, and be adaptive to all personalities. These lessons have carried over into other aspects of Reese’s life. In addition to RYLA, Reese is involved in a writing and research project with Stony Brook University, where she contributes to academic work and continues to strengthen her skills in research, writing, and critical thinking. Now serving on the Youth Committee, Reese is excited to help shape the program and create the same positive and impactful experience for new participants that she once had. She is a student at Southampton High School, where she participates in soccer, golf, mock trial, and student council and Best Buddies. Outside of school and RYLA, she enjoys spending time with dogs, going to the beach, listening to Noah Kahan and Olivia Rodrigo. Reese looks forward to continuing to grow as a leader and helping make this year’s RYLA unforgettable.
Luke Tezcan
Shoreham Wading-River High School
Luke’s first RYLA experience came by chance after being nominated by a teacher as a student leader. It didn’t take long for him to be inspired by the contagious positivity and unwavering support of the RYLA community, motivating him to become more deeply involved in the program. Throughout his journey, he discovered that leadership isn’t just reserved for those with a title or nomination, but it’s a quality that anyone can develop. That realization shaped his mission: to inspire confidence, empower others, and help every person recognize their own potential to lead. Whether on the field as a member of the Shoreham-Wading River football and track teams or in the classroom, Luke strives to lift those around him and help them reach their full potential. While he’s not participating in local service projects or at practice, you can most likely find Luke reading classic novels, listening to his vinyls or skateboarding. Nevertheless, that same positive spirit affects every portion of his life. He is ecstatic to help create a RYLA experience that will both create memories to last a lifetime, and instill values that lead to a better life.
Rich was a part of the RYLA family along with his wife Lydia since 2002. Rich retired from the government and also from his second career as a healthcare provider. Rich was a Rotarian for nearly a decade and he was a past president of the Rotary Club of Greenport and served as program chairperson of his club. Rich enjoyed traveling and has been part of several Rotary Humanitarian trips to Cambodia and Nepal. With Rotary, the world is very small and he has had the opportunity to meet many Rotarians at International conferences. Rich could be seen at RYLA either parking cars or being the “cut-up” guy. At summer, Rich would be up early each morning to fix fresh strawberries for the Rylarians. Rich enjoyed watching the young Rylarians grow and develop into confident leaders. Rich and Lydia have been married for 48 years and have two adult children and four grandchildren. Rich was truly Lydia's partner. They met at a young age, and traveled and lived all over the world. There was nothing he wouldn't do for the love of his life. He was totally enamored with Lydia. Their love was clear to everyone who spent any time with them.
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