Two DMPS Seniors to Represent Iowa at NCYL Conference

Of the four students who will represent Iowa at the National Council on Youth Leadership conference in St. Louis next month, two are from Des Moines Public Schools.

Congratulations to Phuoc “Steven” Phu, a senior at North High School, and Eleanor Hildebrandt, a senior at Roosevelt High School, on being selected as Youth Leaders of the Year in Iowa and participating in the NCYL’s Town Meeting on Tomorrow conference in October.

Steven and Eleanor joined more than 250 high school seniors from 24 area high schools attended the NCYL’s 26th annual Youth Salute earlier this month at Drake University.

Participants heard from speakers on student leadership in high school and beyond. Jennie Baranczyk, head coach of the 2017-2018 Missouri Valley Conference champion Drake Women’s Basketball team, delivered a keynote address titled “Leading With Integrity.”

NCYL is dedicated to recognizing, encouraging and developing the leadership skills of youth. The mission of NCYL is to create public awareness of the importance and power of youth leadership, provide information to help build advanced leadership skills, and encourage community involvement in recognition and support our youth. The Greater Des Moines chapter is facilitated by the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University, which offers a variety of public awareness activities and programming, including CHARACTER COUNTS!, a widely used character education program.

The other two students representing Iowa at the NCYL conference are Jacob Sammon from Urbandale High School and Grace Millsap from Waukee High School.