Student Voice Symposium

Student Voice Symposium 2025

Join students from WDMCS and the surrounding districts at the second annual Student Voice Symposium on March 29 at Valley High School in West Des Moines. High school and junior high students will spend the day connecting with each other and community leaders, and learning together in adult- and student-led sessions centered on this year's theme — (Re)ignite: (Re)claiming my well-being, voice, and impact.

Each breakout session will focus on one of five areas:

📢 Advocacy and Student Voice: Gain confidence and tools to advocate for and take action on issues that matter to you.

🤝 Civic Engagement: Develop a deeper understanding of your role in society and actionable steps to engage in civic leadership.

⭐ Leadership and People Skills: Improve your ability to lead with confidence, collaborate effectively, and positively influence others.

🧠 Mental Health and Healing: Learn self-care practices to use while becoming more civically engaged advocates and leaders.

🔥 Transformative Social and Emotional Learning: Develop your emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-awareness.

March 29 Schedule

8 a.m. — Registration, Breakfast, and Opening

9:55 a.m. — Breakout 1

10:50 a.m. — Breakout 2

11:40 a.m. — Lunch

12:20 p.m. — Breakout 3

1:30 p.m. — Panel and Closing

Symposium FAQs

Q: How do I sign up?
A: Online registration for the Student Voice Symposium has closed. If you are still interested in attending, please email Dr. Dau Jok.

Q: Where should I park and enter Valley?
A: Please use the main entrance to Valley High School, along Woodland Ave on the north side. The closest parking will be in the north parking lot. Event staff and signs will guide you once you enter the building.

Thank you to our Student Voice Symposium 2025 presenters:

Nyibol Chol, Valley High School student
Sahaana Raman, Valley High School student
Paula Bell, Paula Bell Consulting Life Coach Sensei
Dr. B. Lovonne Carter, Be Bold Collective Founder
Greg Hudson, West Des Moines City Council member, Valley High School teacher
Claudia Kyalangalilwa, ArtForce Iowa Heroes Program Director
Max Mowitz, One Iowa and One Iowa Action Executive Director
Melvin Bryson, Drake University student
Mindy Euken, Valley Southwoods Freshman High School Principal
Dr. Dau Jok, West Des Moines Community Schools Executive Director of Culture and Access
Rob Morgan, West Des Moines Human Rights Commission Chair
Carrie Schurman, West Des Moines Human Rights Commission member, Des Moines Public Schools Instructional Technology Specialist

Thank you to our Student Voice Symposium 2025 sponsors:

Additional thanks go to the many students, volunteers, staff members, families, and community members who made this opportunity possible.

Created by the WDMCS Culture and Access Department and the intercultural outreach coordinator, the symposium is a collaboration between multiple district departments in partnership with community organizations and sponsors.