Hey my name is Ryleigh Cornelius and I am the L.A.C.E.S Refugee Youth Sports Program intern. I am a rising senior at Elon University and in the spring of 2022 I will be receiving a degree in Strategic Communications with a minor in International and Global Studies.
A Bit About Me
I was born and raised in London, England until I moved to America for University. Two of my biggest passions are sports and helping others which is why L.A.C.E.S seemed to be such a good fit for me. I play rugby at my university and have played the sport for the majority of my life. Along with this I am a soccer fan and an avid Queens Park Rangers supporter. Outside of sport I love to travel and have been to over 40 countries. Some of my favorites being South Africa, India, and Ecuador. I have been to India five times and my experiences there doing service are what put me on the path to work with an organization like L.A.C.E.S today.
My L.A.C.E.S. JourneyI first found L.A.C.E.S while scrolling through Indeed and once I stumbled upon this organization, I knew that it was something I would feel genuinely fulfilled being involved with. While I continue my L.A.C.E.S journey I hope to be able to make an impact on the lives of many children and brighten their days in any way possible. I most look forward to planning and executing the summer camp so that the kids can have the best time possible. A quote that resonates with me and makes me so passionate for my work at L.A.C.E.S is “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.” – Nelson Mandela. First hand I have experienced the power of sport during my travels and while playing competitively. To now be able to give the same opportunity to the kids we work with at L.A.C.E.S feels like a real privilege.