The Kiwanis Club of Beardstown presented a $1,000 donation to students, Board members and facilitators of the Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) program beginning in Cass County school systems.

CEO Facilitators Jennifer Sellers (Morgan/Scott Green County) and Jen Ingram Schuyler/Brown County) were the guests and program at the Kiwanis Club’s January 13th meeting. The Kiwanis Club’s “investment” in the program is just one of many needed to support the CEO Program and is made possible with a generous matching invest ment by the Tracy Family Foundation. CEO is a program created to give students exposure to the entrepreneurial world by creating their own, individual and unique business plan. Students are re quired to explore business opportunities, build a business plan, implement and maintain their business. The program has been very successful in adjoining counties of Morgan, Scott-Green, Schuyler and Brown.

With the startup of the Cass County program, Juniors and Seniors will be given the opportunity to apply for entry into CEO. According to Jennifer Sellers, among the many benefits of the program, students learn “self-confidence, communications skills, discipline and creativity.” Along with investors, the CEO program needs individuals and businesses willing to be mentors to participating students. Students from three area schools enrolled in the CEO Program were on hand to add their support and successes in the course. Katelyn Adams (Jacksonville), Riley Booth (Triopia) and Kylie Clayton (Winchester) enthusiastically endorsed the program. The CEO Pro gram will be offered at all Cass County schools to include Beardstown High School, Beardstown Christian Academy, Virginia, and AC Central. The CEO Program connects area “investors” committed to a three-year support, with area students interested in participating.

Anyone desiring to invest in the program are encouraged to contact any CEO Board member including Rich Eckert (Beardstown Savings Bank) and Katie Vitalie (Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce). The Kiwanis Club’s motto of “serving the children of the world” fits perfectly with the CEO Program. Members unanimously voted to make the three-year investment in our area students. The Kiwanis Club meets every Monday at noon, at the Beardstown Elk’s Club and welcomes anyone interested in community service primarily benefiting children.