Layla Embretson has been announced as the valedictorian of the Central Community School District class of 2026. Through four busy years of academics, activities and personal growth, she learned the value of trying new things, pushing through challenges and staying dedicated because, as she puts it, “you never know” where those opportunities might lead.

Embretson is the daughter of Josh and Stacey Embretson. Throughout high school, she prioritized academic excellence while being highly involved in both athletics and fine arts.

Across her high school career, Embretson participated in cross country, volleyball, basketball, softball and track and field, individual and large group speech, band and choir, Madrigal, Meistersinger Festival four years in a row, 4-H, FFA, National Honor Society, three plays and three musicals.

As a freshman, Embretson made a decision to set valedictorian as a goal she wished to accomplish. Having an older sister and seeing peers work toward it before her, she was aware of the effort and dedication she would need to achieve it.

“I knew if I wanted a 4.0, it would take all four years of effort. It’s not something you can decide to do halfway through. You have to start strong and stay consistent,” she said.

“A lot of my motivation came from wanting to prove to my younger self that I was capable of anything I put my mind to,” Embretson reflected.

She shared that she struggled with a speech impediment when she was younger, which caused her to fall behind in school.

“I was able to work through it,” she said. “But school was never something that came easy to me. It was something I had to put a lot of effort into.”

Maintaining strong habits and taking care of herself are among the things Embretson credits with helping her achieve academic success while balancing a packed schedule.

“There is a difference between making time and finding time—and it takes drive and a desire to want to accomplish the goal,” she said. “You’ll definitely get burnt out, but you’ve got to know when to take a break.”

Embretson said procrastination was one of the biggest pitfalls students should avoid.

A typical day often began before school with FFA, choir, testing or other activities, followed by a full school day where she intentionally kept her schedule full of extra college or elective classes, rather than building in extra study halls. Most afternoons were spent at practices or activities before heading home to finish homework, complete chores and unwind.

Two habits she said made a significant difference were how she studied and stayed organized.

For Embretson, studying meant repetition—reviewing material, reciting it from memory, then repeating the process until it became easy.

“I used my calendar a lot. I always had so much going on, so I learned to rely on it instead of my memory,” she said.

Recognizing when she needed to step back and recharge was also important.

“I would pay attention to my mood and emotions,” she said. “When I was feeling off, I would get food, sleep, go for a walk, try to get some vitamin D or practice self-care.”

Sleep and family time were other priorities in her routine. Embretson said she typically aimed to be in bed by 9 p.m.—earlier if she was especially tired—and made a point to shower and take care of herself when she got home before moving on to homework or chores.

Time with family was another important reset. Whether it was sharing meals, watching movies, playing cards or simply talking about the day, those moments helped her stay grounded amid a busy schedule. She also used the opportunities on Fridays and Saturdays to spend time with friends and recharge socially.

Qualities she recognized within herself that helped throughout high school included her work ethic, determination and empathy.

“I’m a hard worker. I have a lot of determination. If I start something, I have to get it done,” Embretson said. “I’m also a very empathetic person, so whether it’s helping myself or helping other people, I really try my hardest to make sure it gets done.”

Thinking back on the challenges of her four years, Embretson said that, while her sophomore year may have been her fullest schedule-wise, her junior year was the most difficult.

Working through those challenges helped her build confidence and communication skills.

“I learned how to communicate with different types of people and just be more confident with myself,” she said. “Communication was a big part of that—and not just communicating, but understanding what people are trying to say.”

With time and perspective, Embretson said many of the challenges that felt overwhelming in the moment became easier to process, which gave her confidence in handling future obstacles.

As she progressed through high school, maintaining a high level of performance also brought added pressure.

“I definitely feel a lot of pressure, and I think most of it is self-inflicted,” she said. “I try to remind myself it’s OK, to keep working and think positively.”

Embretson’s support system throughout her time at Central included her parents, friends and teachers.

“My parents do so much more than I give them credit for,” she said. “If I’m struggling with something and have no clue what to do, they talk with me and help me through it.”

She added that simply having their presence at her events made a meaningful difference.

“Knowing they’re there helps me continue,” she said.

Her friends, meanwhile, helped provide balance and reminded her not to take every stressful moment too seriously.

Embretson said the teachers who made the biggest impact were those who made it clear they cared about students beyond academics. She pointed to social studies teachers Mr. Zurbriggen, who she said makes a point to ask students how they are doing each morning, and Mr. Wiley, who also serves as a basketball coach.

“He cares day to day, not just about how you do, but about you and your interests,” she said.

Through her activities, other mentors also helped shape Embretson’s experience. Choir teacher Mrs. Heston helped build her confidence and recognize her potential. Mrs. Bauder was another particularly meaningful mentor as Ebretson’s piano teacher, as well as a track and field and cross country coach.

Another honor Embretson received was recognition through the Governor’s Scholar Recognition Ceremony, which honors top academic students from across Iowa. As part of the program, Embretson had the opportunity to recognize a teacher who made a meaningful impact on her educational journey. She selected Bauder, saying she helped her grow personally and become less afraid of change.

Looking back on her time at Central, Embretson expressed gratitude for the small-school environment that helped shape her experience.

“It’s definitely more personable,” she said. “Your circle is smaller, and you build close relationships through sports, activities and school.”

She also appreciated the opportunities that came with a smaller school setting.

“In bigger schools, you kind of have to pick one thing and stick with it,” she said. “At Central, I was able to take advantage of a lot of different opportunities, and I think that made me more well-rounded.”

While Embretson’s accomplishments include lettering in every activity she participated in, first team all-conference basketball honors, success in track and field, Best of Center recognition in choir and all-state individual speech honors, to name a few, she said what makes her most proud is the growth that came through pushing herself outside her comfort zone and growing through challenges.

“Whether it was missing a shot in basketball, forgetting a line on stage, hitting a wrong note in choir or not placing where I hoped in a competition, those moments didn’t define me. They shaped me,” she said in a recent speech to fellow students. “They pushed me to grow, to work harder and to realize that being uncomfortable is often the first step to becoming better.”

Embretson said she hopes she served as an example of determination and reliability to her peers. As a student involved in many different activities, she recognized that younger students were often watching.

“As a leader, younger students look up to you more than you realize,” she said. “I tried to set a good example, encourage others and show the benefits of putting yourself out there.”

That message carried into the advice Embretson would offer other students.

“You never know what you’re capable of until you try,” she said. “You never know what you’ll love until you give it a chance. And you never know how far you can go if you don’t let fear decide for you.”

As she prepares for her next chapter, Embretson plans to pursue a career in education. While she originally considered the medical field, job shadow experiences helped her realize teaching was a better fit.

“I saw teaching from a different perspective and realized it could be a career for me,” she said. “I want to help kids learn to love learning.”

She is considering either Upper Iowa University or the University of Northern Iowa, and hopes to return to a small-town environment similar to the one that shaped her own experience.