Congratulations To The Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2014
Thirty-four students from 13 area high schools graduated from the 2014 Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI). The ceremony was held at the Animal Rescue League on Tuesday, May 20 and the students gave final presentations on their small group service projects, which they had to plan, organize, execute and manage a budget. Sandy Hatfield Clubb, Director of Athletics for Drake gave the keynote address.
YLI introduces, develops, and nurtures leadership skills among youth in Greater Des Moines by providing experiential mentoring and leadership experiences that enhance self-esteem and encourage involvement in all levels of community life.
YLI is a program of the Greater Des Moines Partnership under its Regional Workforce and Education pillar of work, and since its inception in 2011, 342 students have graduated from the program.
The 2014 YLI Class
Magda Y. Almendarez — Roosevelt High School
Brendan J. Anderson — South East Polk High School
Hanna Anderson — Valley High School
Julia R. Anderson — Valley High School
Meghan L. Anderson — Waukee High School
Elli Bandstra — Roosevelt High School
Caitlin F. Culich — Carlisle High School
Camryn Dreyer — Valley High School
Nicholas Fox — Valley High School
Ann M. Gould — Valley High School
Nathan C. Guenther — Carlisle High School
Bryce Hingst — Waukee High School
Jacob W. Hollister — Hoover High School
Tripp Kinney — Waukee High School
Christopher L. Laurenzo — Dowling Catholic High School
Justin Jay Lehman — Lincoln High School
Jackson Lewton — Ankeny High School
Connor Littlefield — Waukee High School
Quinn Marron — Roosevelt High School
Emily Miller — Dowling Catholic High School
Julian O. Neely — Johnston High School
Dariann Nickerson — East High School
Ruth T. Phaviset — East High School
Colton Preston — Hoover High School
Colin Quass — Dallas Center Grimes High School
Rhea Reddy — Valley High School
Christian J. Royston — Roosevelt High School
AJ J. Thurman — Dallas Center Grimes
Adam Tigges — Dowling Catholic High School
Anson Tonelli — Roosevelt High School
Hannah Toresdahl — Dowling Catholic High School
Devon Veach — Iowa Christian High School
Connor Ward — South East Polk High School
Olivia Weaver — Dallas Center Grimes High School
For more information on the program, visit dsmpartnership.com/education.
About the Greater Des Moines Partnership
The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 320 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.