The first students are participating in the Central Illinois CEO program, designed to introduce them to the world of owning and operating a business.

The students spend time at various businesses around central Illinois and Monday morning spent time at the Big Red Barn. They discussed what interested them in the program and why they joined. Terry Hendrix, a student at Clinton High School, says he doesn't necessarily want to own his own business but feels the program has still helped him.

Colton Holback, a student at Maroa-Forsyth, says things started slowly with the kids that come from Clinton, Blue Ridge, Maroa-Forsyth and Warrensburg-Latham. He feels though they are coming together and learning a lot at the same time.

Vince Baldassari indicates he is enjoying the site visits they are making but adds it's more than just field trips to all these places. He explains it is a very hands-on program.

Gabriel Jenkins, a student at Blue Ridge High School, is one that looks forward to the challenge of starting a group business and then his own business in the second semester. He feels it is going to be a great foundation for what he wants to do in the future.

The group will establish a collective business in the first semester and then an individual business in the second semester.

There are ten students in the first year of the CEO program and the other six students will be on the WHOW morning show Tuesday.