Congratulations to the Youth Leadership Eau Claire Class of 2019

Earlier this week, 36 area high school juniors graduated from the Chamber’s Youth Leadership Eau Claire (YLEC) program. In its 16th year, the program gives students a chance to enhance their knowledge and development leadership skills. During the nine-month program, the students learn about the community and future career opportunities.
 
In order to graduate from the program, students must complete community service projects. This year, the class divided into four groups to complete the projects for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Chippewa Valley, YMCA, Heyde Center for the Arts, Eau Claire County Humane Association and Beaver Creek Reserve. 

Congratulations to Brian Salinas from Fall Creek High School for being awarded the first Becky H. Seelen Leadership Award.  Becky was a 20 year employee of the Eau Claire Chamber and was instrumental in the development and growth of the Youth Leadership Eau Claire program.   

Becky's passion for the program and long-term commitment to youth leadership development made the program what it is today. The award recognizes the student that best exemplifies the mission of Youth Leadership Eau Claire to develop high school juniors in to empowered leaders and motivate them to become involved and committed to their community. Students were asked to nominate an individual from the class that exemplifies this award.

The following is a list of the 2019 graduates:
 
Altoona High School
Alyse Tainter

Augusta High School    
Kyra Schroeder

Fall Creek High School
Josie Hook
Brian Salinas
Wyatt Topper
Hamilton Williams  

Memorial High School
Kailyn Dewey
Olive Ellringer
Morgan Priem
Mai Nhia Yang
 
North High School
Eden Burnett
Haley Cronin
Lexi Fisher
Anna Johnson
Joey Koller
Lydia Monk
Alex Richmond
Avianna Thomas
Sue Vang
Maria Venne
 
Regis High School
Maggie Andrews
Joe Edge
Griffin Johnson
Zade Kidess
​Grace Kristo
Brent Martin
Elle Matson
Grace Multhauf
Noelle Pawelski
Quinn Petersilka
Abe Rocksvold
Max Salonek
Evan Swanson
Bria Thalacker
Fletcher Theisen
Michael Usher

YLEC Executive Committee
Chair -  Michael Strubel, Marshfield Clinic – Eau Claire Center
Vice Chair -  Tracey Smiskey, Northwestern Bank
Past Chair - Jenna Ziegler, Charter Bank
Kelly Hebert, Eau Claire Area School District 
Eric Nelson, Regis High School 
Jim Schmitt, Eau Claire Area School District
Laura Volbrecht, Fall Creek School District
Larry Zorn
 
YLEC Curriculum Committee
Elaine Coughlin – Pablo Management
Jason Craig – Mayo Clinic Health System
Richard Eaton – Eau Claire County 
Andrea Finn – Royal Credit Union
Travis Ida – Boys & Girls Club of the Greater CV
Nicole Lasker – Lasker Jewelers
Jodi Lepsch – Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eric Lindquist – Leader-Telegram
Andy Neborak – Eau Claire Express Baseball
Eric Nelson – Regis High School
Susan Peterson – Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
Vicki Seltun – City of Eau Claire
Suzie Slota –YMCA
Cathy Statz – Wisconsin Farmers Union
Daneille Strong – Weld Riley, SC
 
YLEC Sponsors
Thank you to all of our sponsors for making this program possible. For a complete list of sponsors, please click here.