The Rotary Club of Chagrin Valley is proud to recognize Layla Hauserman, a senior at Chagrin Falls High School, as its Rotary Senior of the Month for March 2026. Described by those who know her best as hardworking, dedicated, and charismatic, Hauserman has built an exceptional record of achievement across academics, athletics, the performing arts, and community service throughout her high school career.
Hauserman has demonstrated a consistent commitment to leadership in virtually every activity she has pursued. She served as a two-time varsity captain of the football cheer squad during her junior and senior years, and as band president during her senior year. In speech and debate, she rose steadily through the ranks, serving as squad leader in tenth grade, treasurer in eleventh grade, and vice president in twelfth grade, while also earning the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) Degree of Excellence. She was also a founding member and treasurer of the Mock Trial team.
For Hauserman, leadership is more than a title. "One of the most important things a leader can do is lead by example," she explained. "If you can't do the things you are asking of others, then you need to either reevaluate what you are asking or your own actions. It is also important to be understanding. You don't always know everyone's situation, and it is important to be empathetic to other circumstances."
Hauserman has maintained a grade point average above 4.0 while participating in three seasons of athletics, a feat that speaks to her extraordinary work ethic. She has earned the AP Capstone Diploma, AP Scholar with Distinction recognition, and has been a consistent High Honor Roll student. A standout among her academic accomplishments is her 24-page AP Research paper analyzing Spotify's algorithm and its influence on teenagers' opinions, a project that showcases both her intellectual curiosity and her ability to tackle complex, real-world questions.
On the athletic side, Hauserman has cheered for both football and basketball and played softball. As a two-time varsity cheer captain, she earned Honorable Mention in the Chagrin Valley Conference during both her junior and senior years, was selected for the Chagrin Valley Leadership Conference as a junior, and received the CVC All-Academic honor as a senior. She was also named an Ohio High School Softball Coaches Association Scholar Athlete during her junior year.
Equally impressive is her involvement in music. As a member of the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble, Hauserman has performed at distinguished venues including Walt Disney World and New York City. She was also selected to participate in the American Music Abroad Red Tour, a program founded by a high school band director to share the experience of European culture and performance with students. The experience began with a three-day intensive orientation consisting of 18 hours of rehearsals to learn 11 songs, followed by an international tour across six countries: France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, where the group performed seven concerts.
Hauserman's service to her community is rooted in gratitude and a genuine desire to give back. She has served as a coach for the Middle School Speech and Debate team, a counselor for Little Tiger Cheer Camp, and a junior counselor for Band Camp.
Of all her service experiences, she considers her work with the middle school speech and debate program to be the most meaningful. "When I was in middle school, I participated in speech and debate, and many high schoolers would volunteer their time to come back and help coach," Hauserman reflected. "When I reached high school, I knew that I too wanted to continue this." During her freshman and sophomore years, she took an active role mentoring younger students, teaching them how to write and cut speeches, build a case, and conduct research efficiently. "I learned a lot from this volunteer opportunity," she said, "and it's rewarding that so many of these students continued these activities in high school."
Following graduation, Hauserman plans to enroll in a bachelor's program in sports management or sports operations, with a long-term goal of working as an operations manager for a major sports team. "I have a passion for sports," she said, "which, when combined with my skills in organization, logistics, and relationship-building, draws me to sports management." She is currently awaiting responses from several colleges and has not yet committed to one.