Greater Des Moines Partnership Announces Youth Leadership Initiative Class of 2015-2016

Greater Des Moines’ Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) is pleased to announce the Class of 2015-2016. YLI, a workforce development and education program of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, provides sophomore or junior high school students with mentoring and leadership experiences that enhance self-esteem and encourage involvement in all levels of community life. 

The goals of the YLI program are: 

• EMPOWERING youth to connect, participate in change, and create their ideal community
• ENCOURAGING youth to become active participants in their community
• ENGAGING youth in opportunities to invest their futures in Greater Des Moines (DSM)

The YLI Class of 2015-16 represents 22 public, private and home schools from across Central Iowa. The 41 students will meet twice monthly beginning August 14, 2015 through May 25, 2016 to explore topics on leadership while learning about the Greater Des Moines region. Participation in the YLI program is tuition free. 

For more information, please visit DSMpartnership.com/living-here/education or contact program director, Nathan Ritz, at nritz@DSMpartnership.com.  Media inquiries should be directed to Kyle Oppenhuizen at (515) 286-4972 or koppenhuizen@DSMpartnership.com.

About the Youth Leadership Initiative 

YLI began as a project of the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute's Community Leadership class of 2001-2002. YLI is now a program of the Partnership’s Regional Workforce Development and Education initiative. Now in its 13th year, YLI’s mission is to help local youth see a community that is welcoming, nurturing and vital, which provides ample opportunity for participation in meaningful community change, networking and individual growth.  Since its inception, more than 380 students have successfully graduated from the program. 

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.

First	Last	School
Riley	Backus	Saydel High School
Taylor	Bacon	Ankeny High School
Nick	Battles	Indianola High School
Cody	Boozell	Saydel High School
Gabe	Candee	Carlisle High School
Ashley	Clausen	Johnston High School
Cory	Critchlow	Carlisle High School
Savannah	David	Woodward-Granger High School
Nyakota	Ding	Hoover High School
CJ	Dobbins	Southeast Polk High School
Averi	Dyer	East High School
Ean	Followwill	Dallas Center-Grimes High School
Thomas	Gould	Valley High School
Kati	Heller	Urbandale High School
Ross	Hingst	Waukee High School
Brad	Holland	Dowling Catholic High School
Graysen	Jennings	Ankeny Centennial High School
Jalesha	Johnson	East High School
Jared	Johnson	Waukee High School
Jack	Johnson	WDM Homeschool Assist
Max	Kietzman	Southeast Polk High School
Emma	Ksiazak	Valley High School
Nic	Lane	North High School
Jess	Lentzkow	North High School
Frank	Li	Roosevelt High School
Kitarrah	Mangra-Dutcher	Johnston High School
Nick	Miller	North Polk High School
Luke	Mohan	Dowling Catholic High School
Mallory	Murphy	Norwalk High School
Nathan	Nelson	Waukee High School
Preston	Peddicord	Johnston High School
Colin	Pranger	Johnston High School
Breazi	Preston	Hoover High School
Darien	Rouse	Ankeny Centennial High School
Julie	San	Hoover High School
Dylan	Schoonover	Lincoln High School
Debbie	Seakor	Hoover High School
Skyler	Shellmyer	Urbandale High School
Jessica	Studer	Valley High School
Alex	Thompson	Dallas Center-Grimes High School
Kyndal	Williams	Roosevelt High School