A unique opportunity for high school students is once again seeing a strong turnout.

Melanie Brown, Facilitator for the Central Illinois CEO program, indicates that CEO is an entrepreneurial program for juniors and seniors at Warrensburg-Latham, Maroa-Forsyth, Clinton, and Blue Ridge. A new aspect of the program this year is in addition to receiving credit for two high school courses, they will also receive college credit from Western Illinois University.

Every year enrollment in the program continues to grow, and this year the program has thirteen students. Brown is excited about this trend and feels it gives the students an advantage over their peers.

Brown notes the students have been meeting for about a month now. So far they have focused on soft skills and business etiquette such as time management, public speaking, and professional writing.

Currently, the students are involved in a ten-day program where they will learn all about what it takes to run a brick-and-mortar local business. Brown says what makes CEO unique is the fast pace and hands-on learning.

Brown directs anyone wanting to follow along with the Central Illinois CEO program to its website, centralillinoisceo.com, or follow Central IL CEO on Facebook and Instagram.