The Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute’s Youth Leadership Initiative has announced the graduation of its Class of 2020, made up of 38 student leaders from 20 Central Iowa high schools. YLI provides high school students with experiential learning in the community and leadership opportunities that help students gain confidence and step outside their comfort zones. The students met twice monthly over eight months to explore topics on leadership while learning about issues and opportunities in Greater Des Moines. One of the graduates, Gabi Michalski, a Johnston High School student, said her favorite YLI day was an experience day in December in which the class visited organizations that provide food and shelter services including Des Moines Area Religious Council’s food pantry, the Central Iowa Shelter & Services homeless shelter and the Willkie House. “I was incredibly inspired and humbled by going to these places and noticing the people in need right here in Des Moines,” Michalski said. The full list of graduates can be found here.