Central Illinois high school students in a unique business class are hitting milestones as they embark on starting their own businesses.

The Central Illinois and Sangamon Valley chapters of the CEO programs are starting the process of securing funding for their business startups. Melanie Brown is the facilitator for the Central Illinois CEO program and explains the next few weeks are significant for her students.

For the Sangamon Valley CEO program, this was a big for them. Facilitator Lisa Sheppard explains this week they did individual business pitches to secure funding.

Once the students receive funding for their businesses, they will continue the hard work to get the business off the ground and have it ready for the trade show in May. Sheppard is excited about the businesses her group of students is working on.

The Central Illinois CEO program will hold its trade show on May 1 from 5 to 7 pm at Hickory Point Mall in Forsyth. The Central Illinois CEO program brings in students from Blue Ridge, Clinton, Maroa-Forsyth, and Warrensburg-Latham schools. You can learn more about their chapter by visiting centralillinoisceo.com, or find them on Facebook and Instagram.

The Sangamon Valley CEO program welcomes students from Argent-Oreana, Bement, Cerro Gordo, Deland-Weldon, and Monticello schools. You can learn more about them by visiting sangamonvalleyceo.com, or find them on Facebook and YouTube.