Contact:
Amy Smit
(515) 229-9327
amy.smit@drake.edu
DES MOINES, Iowa (June 17, 2025) – The following local students gathered in Des Moines this week for the Donna and Darnell Pettengill Civic Leadership Academy at Drake University, a three-day summer experience hosted by The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center in association with The Ron and Jane Olson Institute for Public Democracy. The academy hosts high school students from across the country and is designed to help students grow as ethical leaders and active citizens-showing them they don’t have to wait until adulthood to make a difference.
Throughout the week, students explored leadership, communication, stress management, and integrity through hands-on workshops. They met with civic and business leaders, including a representative from United Way of Central Iowa, visited the Iowa State Capitol and Judicial Building, and connected with Drake University deans over lunch. They also gave back to the community by volunteering at Meals from the Heartland, packing meals for families in need.
The program also included sessions on personal branding and project planning to help students translate their ideas into real impact. Evening activities gave students a chance to bond with peers from across the nation while experiencing life on a college campus.
Named in honor of Donna and Darnell Pettengill, the academy encourages students to see themselves as changemakers in their communities, today.
About The Ray Center
Through public awareness and programming grounded in research, The Ray Center helps create strong, vibrant communities that value positive, healthy relationships and respectful behavior. Our initiatives benefit people of all ages and are easily adaptable for families, schools, workplaces, athletic teams, and more.
We help our clients shape their organization’s culture through professional development, assessments, resources, and on-going consultation that focuses on values-based education and best practices in character development.
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