Popular high schoolers’ CEO Program grows again in the Metro East
Wendy Symer of WLS Consulting is at the podium as a panel of students from Metro East-based CEO Programs provide talking points at the official launch event of the Silver Creek Area CEO Program hosted at Wisper Internet in Mascoutah. (Courtesy Silver Creek Area CEO Program)
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
IBJ Managing Editor
[email protected]
The newest high schooler’s CEO Program in the Metro East is off to a booming start, both in terms of student involvement and community support.
The Silver Creek Area CEO Program officially rolled out at the end of June 2024 at Mascoutah’s local Wisper Internet location with a record-breaking attendance of over 120 people. Also record-breaking was the fundraising from this launch event; the new group has yielded more than $70,000 so far in its inaugural year.
“These funds will provide the initial financial requirement to secure the program as well as the operating budget to cover much of the program’s first year expenses,” noted one of the group’s spokespersons, Wendy Symer of WLS Consulting.
With high school students as a part of the Class of 2026 and coming from the Freeburg, Lebanon, Mascoutah and O’Fallon communities, the number of applicants into the popular program also broke records.
The CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) Program gives young people hands-on business experience and transforms them into entrepreneurial thinkers who are invested in their communities.
The program is unlike any other class a student might complete during high school. It is a program for high schoolers that teaches them about business but also teaches them about everyday life.
CEO is never held in a classroom. Instead, the students spend each day, five days a week, in area businesses, absorbing essential skills from local business owners and community leaders. Each student is guided through the creation of two real businesses, with the support of a local mentor. These aren’t classroom exercises: They are real products; real services being exchanged for real money.
“Kids think that opportunity exists everywhere but in their hometowns,” an official statement further notes. “The CEO Program shows them that there are thriving businesses, opportunities for growth, and people who want to support them right in their community – all they have to do is look.”
With 70 programs in 10 states and over 330 high schools nationwide participating, CEO is a growing movement across the country. This program already benefits from a strongly established presence throughout the St. Louis Metro East region. (Story continues below the infographic)
An infographic provides details and application information for the Silver Creek Area CEO Program Facilitator job opening. (Courtesy Silver Creek Area CEO Program)
“We’re super excited about the support the newest CEO Program in the Metro East area is experiencing,” Symer added. “We’re currently searching for our facilitator, and we will soon be on the search for speakers and facilitators to schedule to work with the students when the class starts in August 2025.”
Anyone interested in applying for the Silver Creek Area CEO Program Facilitator position can email their questions or resume and cover letter to [email protected]. Interested individuals can also request a copy of the official job description by sending an email. The selected candidate is anticipated to start on July 1.
The Silver Creek Area CEO Program Facilitator position is half-time position and requires the successful candidate to be a certified teacher, hold a master’s degree eligible for certification, or have experience as a business owner/industry professional with ability to obtain certification educator licensure through the Regional Office of Education (ROE)/ Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).
With the record-breaking trend thus far, the Silver Creek Area CEO Program is also looking toward future programming, including the possibility of a second section for students who are part of the graduating classes of 2027 or 2028.
The CEO Program is free for students and schools; it relies on local investors to support its learning experience. “As such, an addition or expansion of the program is dependent on the funding for the second section which is paid solely through 501(c)(3) tax deductible donations from the communities the program serves,” Symer said.
“We are appreciative of all who have joined the movement already and those who plan to help once the class gets started in the fall,” she added.
