DAYLC, the Dubuque Area Youth Leadership Council, is a Dubuque County Organization that elects the top 100 student leaders in the area.

Teachers recommend students in eleventh grade that they feel exemplify the characteristics of a positive leader. Those recommended must then apply to the organization by explaining their leadership skills and describing their past experience as a leader in their community. Out of the many applicants, only 100 students are selected.

This past year, Wahlert was represented by 14 students: Michael Banwarth, Jacob Berning, Rachel Hefel, Sam Herrig, Carly Heying, Denver Link, Samantha Montag, Carlie Noel, Grant Oberfoell, Ivie Sprenger, Gretchen Swift, Lela Udry, Anna Varley and Jack Wilgenbusch.

Both Clarke College and the University of Dubuque hold character development workshops throughout the year where the selected leaders can meet new people, hear from local speakers, and sharpen their communication skills.

“I learned that there are different types of leaders for different situations, and they each have an important role,” said Jack Wilgenbusch.

For instance, Michael Banwarth met a student who is very involved with wrestling at his school. He said, “Mainly being a guy with artistic pursuits, I probably wouldn’t have ever had the time to converse with him outside of this opportunity, but we found that we had similar ideas on family, suffering, and love.”

Clarke also sponsors a panel in which students hear from and converse with the DAYLC board themselves.

At the final ceremony, the DAYLC board selects and acknowledges the top 10 leaders to receive scholarships in amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000. This year, Wahlert took home four of the top ten spots!

Michael Banwarth (2nd,) Anna Varley (4th,) Denver Link and Jack Wilgenbusch, who ranked among the top 7-10. (DAYLC does not designate a ranking after fifth place.)

The top two leaders get to travel to Saint Louis, MO, for the national Town Meeting On Tomorrow conference. “It will be interesting to meet leaders from all over the country!” said Banwarth.

Through this experience, these Wahlert leaders hope to spread positivity by being role models of respect, responsibility, honesty and community in their day to day lives. “As the student body vice president, I take on the responsibility of being a positive representation and voice for our school. I aim to bring our school together and foster a supportive community,” said Varley.

By spreading these values in the school community, students may feel empowered to do the same. “Wanting to leave a positive legacy on Wahlert, I try to encourage each and every student to follow the right path. Even recognizing a fellow classmate with a smile could go a long way,” claims Link.

DAYLC promotes doing the right thing no matter what, and it encourages the next generation of leaders to do exactly that!