Building Leaders “One Kid at a Time”
participate in a real, live curtain call! One child
participant stated on the bus ride home that it
was “the best day of his life.”
In June, twenty kids from the same group helped
to build and paint a parade float to represent the
program. The float, called “Buildings Leaders
One Kid at a Time,” was part of the West Des
Moines July 3 parade. Kids got the opportunity to
create the float and then see their hard work pay
off by riding in the parade and throwing candy to
the crowds along the street.
Future events planned for 2009 include an Iowa
Cubs game, a Blank Park Zoo event, and a trip to
Jolly Holiday Lights. The inaugural West Des
Moines Leadership Academy class hopes to
Des Moines. This program primarily
continue the program in subsequent years with
targets youth age 8-12 through the West
the help of West Des Moines Human Services.
Des Moines Human Services department.
More information on the West Des Moines
Leadership Academy can be found at:
In its first year, the Building Leaders
www.wdmleaders.com
program plans to offer 4-5 youth-centered
events related to arts, culture, sports, and
community. In April, the Building Leaders
program took a group of thirty kids to a
production of Sideways Stories from
Wayside School at the DSM Playhouse.
As part of their special day, the kids got to
each lunch with the actors in the
In addition to the City of West Des Moines Human Services, many
I
n 2008, the West Des Moines Chamber
production and were given some "insider
of Commerce formed the first West Des
knowledge" about how special effects are
sponsors have helped to make the program possible so far, including
Moines Leadership Academy for
done during the play. After the Guide One Insurance, Greater Iowa Credit Union, Hy-Vee, Farner Bocken,
emerging leaders who live and/or work in
performance, the lead actress hosted a Wolf Construction, Weitz Company, Shive Hattery, Marsh, and West Des
the City of West Des Moines. The
mini-workshop during which the kids got Moines Community Education. Thanks for your support! If your company is
inaugural class of the academy, which
to be on-stage recreating a role, backstage
interested in helping to sponsor a future Building Leaders event, please
graduated in June, has created a program
working the special effects, and up in the
contact info@wdmleaders.org.
called Building Leaders for youth in West
sound and light booth. Every child got to
14 WDMMAGAZINE • SUMMER/FALL 09 Visit us on the web at www.wdm-ia.com Visit us on the web at www.wdm-ia.com SUMMER/FALL 09 • WDMMAGAZINE 15
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