The Central Illinois CEO program has been a huge success, at least for the students that are a part of this inaugural year of the collaboration. 

The students visit various businesses in central Illinois and learn about them and Monday and Tuesday, the 10 were at the Big Red Barn to learn about the world of radio. Maddie Miller is the lone participant from Warrensburg-Latham Schools and also the only female in the group. Initially, she was intimidated but has become good friends with her classmates.

Cameron Reynolds is a student at Maroa-Forsyth High School and feels the CEO program is giving him a leg up on his peers at this level. In the first few weeks together, the students learned a lot of soft skills and he feels that was a huge benefit for them.

Students have to be up at their site visits in the 7 am hour and be dressed up in business attire. Max Stauffer from Clinton High is looking forward to diving into the starting of a business, which students will do together this semester and then individually next semester.

Last week, the group met with investors of the program. The program is 100-percent funded by the community with no funds coming from the school. Brendan Flannell from Blue Ridge High School says it was a great experience to see the people that are giving back.

Trenton Sanders considers himself one of the quieter kids in the group of ten but says the meeting with the investors allowed him to be more outgoing. He is a student at Clinton High School.

The group is very active on its website on its Facebook page. Find them by searching 'Central Illinois CEO' on Facebook or visit www.centralillinoisceo.com and they hope you will sign up for their newsletter on the website.