T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY

The Leadership Marshalltown class of 2024/2025 has officially graduated. Its members spent nine months learning what it really means to be a leader, exploring tough interpretations, learning how and when to raise the heat, plus community leader panels and business tours. The class wrapped up on Thursday, May 15, and the last day included one last deep dive into leadership challenges, a tour around the MCC campus, and an Opportunity Fair where they had many organizations talk to our group about what they do and how volunteers are vital to their work. We finished the day with a few class participants who spoke on what their experience in Leadership Marshalltown meant to them.

“I’m so proud to have been part of this class. Getting to know each of you, learning from your experiences, having you help me with my own, and watching us grow as a collective has been an absolute privilege. As someone who’s always been proud to call Marshalltown home (okay, maybe not so much in high school — but definitely now!), I can say that I am even prouder now because of all of you. Each of you is striving for better, even when you were already incredible to begin with,” Samantha Vance said.

“I’ve gained an appreciation for the hard work and dedication many of our leaders around town have and promote. It gives me hope that the upcoming generations in Marshalltown will also see the amazing things current and upcoming leaders in Marshalltown are doing. My aspiration for the future is that my generation and those after me will take pride in our home and continue to “engage new voices”, “raise the heat”, and “experiment beyond our comfort zones” to make Marshalltown the best place possible for everyone,” said Sarah Gerstandt. “As we continue after this class is done, I am excited, hopeful and energized. I personally look forward to raising the heat, taking risks, energizing others and most of all – holding to purpose by being intentional with those around me, at work and in my personal life. I still have a long way to go to be where I want to be, but I’m on my way.”

Pete Drury concluded by talking about his childhood memories of places like Skatetown, Aladdin’s Castle, the McDonalds drive through (now United Bank & Trust) as well as Godfather’s Pizza (now Pizza Ranch). In reference to leadership, he then talked about his time as a coach and used a stopwatch analogy. When kids run up to him and ask, “What’s my time, Coach?!” the response to them and to all of us is, “Your time is now!”