Student Voice Symposium

Paula Bell — Fairmeadows Room 

What does it really mean to have agency? Many believe power comes from control, but real agency is something much more personal — and powerful. In this thought-provoking and interactive session, explore how agency shows up in everyday moments. You will leave with a deeper understanding of personal power and the realization that agency isn’t about controlling everything — it’s about choosing who you want to become, one decision at a time.

Jackson Anderson — Clive Room 

Leadership is about the influence you have right now. In this interactive session, move beyond the idea of “becoming” a leader and start recognizing the leader you are. You will explore and discover your leadership identity, learn and plan to influence change in your school, and build habits for lifelong leadership growth. Our time together will allow you to reflect on your own leadership practices and collaborate with others in the session.

West Des Moines Human Rights Commission — Community Room

West Des Moines Human Rights Commission members Erlin Kakkanad, Rob Morgan, and Maddie Rocha Smith will help you explore the importance of community and civic engagement, and how civil rights helped lay the foundation for individuals to participate fully and contribute to the well-being of their communities. You will also reflect on how you can serve as an agent of change within your own community through acts of service.

Christine Esser — Hillside Room (Second Floor)

Unleash your voice and shape your future! This dynamic workshop empowers students to visualize and MANIFEST their lives within the community through the creation of a personal vision board. Using images, photos, poetry, key words, and meaningful phrases, you will design a Vision Board for how you see yourself engaging and contributing to your community.  Discover the importance of your social-emotional well-being and actively step into your voice, leadership, and power to build meaningful relationships!

Paula Bell — Fairmeadows Room 

In a world of social media debates, peer pressure, and constant comparison, it can be easy to believe that power means winning arguments, proving others wrong, or having the loudest voice in the room. But real leadership looks different. In this interactive session, you will learn through reflection, real-life scenarios, and engaging activities — and walk away with practical strategies for managing conflict, strengthening emotional intelligence, and choosing actions that build stronger friendships, healthier conversations, and positive influence within your community.

Dr. Dau Jok — Clive Room

In this session, Brother Dau will co-create a safe space with attendees to discuss ways you can (re)claim your voice and agency as a source of power to shape your growth, leadership, learning, and aspirations. You will co-learn how to leverage your voice as an agent of change.

Steven Schappaugh — Community Room

Students are the greatest entity in a school system, both in terms of quantity and value. As the “why” of our system’s existence, it’s important for you to understand how your voice can be leveraged to advocate for a school that serves you and your fellow classmates. Beyond learning practical strategies, you’ll also get a chance to consider caring for others as part of your advocacy.

Christine Esser — Hillside Room (Second Floor)

Unleash your voice and shape your future! This dynamic workshop empowers students to visualize and MANIFEST their lives within the community through the creation of a personal vision board. Using images, photos, poetry, key words, and meaningful phrases, you will design a Vision Board for how you see yourself engaging and contributing to your community.  Discover the importance of your social-emotional well-being and actively step into your voice, leadership, and power to build meaningful relationships!

Rachelle Long — Lobby/Hallway

Explore Taste of the Junction’s pop-up museum with CEO and founder Rachelle Long. The museum highlights the diversity and culture of the Valley Junction Community, with each panel telling the story of a Valley Junction group or family, beginning with some of the first families to the area. Taste of the Junction is a non-profit organization celebrating the people, culture, and cuisine of the historic Valley Junction area. Available through lunch.

Gianna Pugliese — Fairmeadows Room

Join us for an interactive, hands-on workshop that acts as a bridge between household traditions and your student’s leadership journey. You will trace the evolution of your core values, comparing the lessons of your past with the intentional actions you take today, while exploring whether your children see those same priorities through your daily leadership. The session ends with a collaborative drafting process where you will transform your family’s values into a custom mission statement magnet to guide your conversations long after the conference ends.

Student panelists will share their lived experiences in school, at home, and in the community, including times they feel most seen, heard, and valued. These student leaders will also discuss what leadership means to them, challenges they have witnessed or experienced, and what is currently giving them hope. Facilitated by WDMCS Executive Director of Secondary Education Steven Schappaugh.

Mallory Riesberg, Lead DSM — Clive Room

Get an authentic look into the Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) — a tuition‑free, nine-month program where high school students learn through hands‑on experiences across Greater Des Moines. YLI takes students out of the classroom and into real community settings, where they explore local issues, build leadership skills, meet professionals, and connect with peers from many different schools. You will get a clear sense of what YLI is and how it works, then take part in a short, hands‑on activity inspired by a real YLI experience day. This mini‑experience will mirror the program’s “learn by doing” approach, giving participants a feel for YLI’s mix of exploration, community insight, and personal reflection. 

Anadelia Morgan — Community Room

Ms. Anadelia Morgan, WDMCS Board of Education Member, mom, and leader, will cover how families can effectively navigate the education system. The session will discuss advocacy, partnership, and supporting students’ academic, social, and emotional development as a parent/guardian.