BUILDING NETWORKS AND KNOWLEDGE

many business owners among many different fields,” Herrig said. “Most mornings, we do go to Marshall due to numbers and the variety of the businesses there, but it has expanded what we see. Going to all these different businesses has shown us young professionals all there is to offer in just a local area.”

While the reward is likely high, it does take a significant commitment. “Every day brings us a new opportunity to network and work with the local business and community leaders,” Gillette said. “We travel every morning to a different location that usually varies from Slayton, Balaton and Marshall. The friends and knowledge I have gained over this class are some of the most valuable things I cherish.”

Gillette added that he and the other students take pride in getting out and speaking with their local communities. “Bridgette Herrig and I went to the Corn and Soybean Association and had the privilege to talk to all the farmers and fill them in on how our year was going,” he said. “I am just so thankful for all the opportunities this class has brought me so far.”

Besides experience in entrepreneurship, the CEO program can also build character. “Before this class, I was a quiet and introverted person, but with the help of the CEO program, it has helped me step out of my shell and become more confident and comfortable in awkward situations,” Gillette said.

A facilitator who challenges each individual student and manages constant change in the classroom is instrumental to the success of the class. This year, Shanda Walker has served as the Lyon and Murray County CEO facilitator. “I hope to use this class to strengthen my professional skills for future jobs such as how to have a better interview, how to properly greet someone and how to get my point across without shooting anyone else down,” Herrig said.

In her profile, Schuur said she chose to apply to CEO to get more of an inside look into the secrets and tricks it takes to not only get a business started, but to keep it successful. She was most looking forward to being able to meet new people and expand her comfort zone to try things she normally wouldn’t if it weren’t for the class.

CEO mentors help students immerse themselves in the real life learning experiences. Funding primarily comes from the various business partners. This year, 49 Lyon and Murray County CEO investors — each contributing an investment of $1,000 or more — help provide the necessary resources for the facilitator salary and other expenses to ensure sustainability of the program.

Along with Gillette, Herrig and Schuur, Lyon County CEO students include: John Boerboom, Anna Bucher, Kaden Clark, Tate Condezo, Paige Duthoy, Mallory Evans, Brenna Foster, Jonathan Gruhot, Regan Loft, Taylor Miller, Spencer Scherr, Parker Schmitt, Braxton Siefert, Cloie Stevens and Jett Wing.

Looking ahead, the 2023 Lyon and Murray County CEO Trade Show will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 24 at tru Shrimp in Balaton.

By Jenny Kirk A trio of students from Murray County Central are among 18 area high schoolers in the Lyon and Murray County Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities program, and recently, two of them not only competed but placed extremely well at the second annual Student Entrepreneurship Conference at Southwest Minnesota State University.

MCC’s McKade Gillette and Bridgette Herrig placed in the top 25 at the Student Entrepreneurship Conference, which brought together college students in SMSU’s Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) program and high school students in Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) programs in southwest and west central Minnesota.“Our CEO class went to SMSU for a pitch competition where we pitched our personal businesses to a judge and three or four other CEO students from other programs and some of the college kids where they all scored each other,” Herrig said. “Our Lyon and Murray County CEO attendees did well as a whole, with some of us getting awards and mostly positive feedback from scorecards.”

The Lyon and Murray County CEO program teaches encouragement, creativity and leadership. High School juniors and seniors from Marshall, MCC and Tracy Area have the opportunity to apply for the program. Along with Herrig and Gillette, MCC’s Emma Schuur is taking part in the experience this year. “I am hoping to learn enough from this class to have my own personal business in the community someday,” Gillette said. “Currently, CEO has helped me start up my own side business (McKade’s General Maintenance). I really push for the future students of Lyon and Murray County to take this step in making a brighter future for themselves.”

Entrepreneurship education seeks to prepare people to be responsible, enterprising individuals who become entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers and to contribute to economic development and sustainable communities. The CEO program is said to be much more than a textbook course. Instead, students are immersed in real life learning opportunities where they can take risks, manage the results and learn from the outcomes. “This has been one of the most exciting and knowledgeable classes I have ever taken,” Gillette said. “CEO focuses on leading their students to have an entrepreneurship mindset that will help carry the students further in life. It sets a real tone for REAL world.”

The CEO class meets five days a week for 90 minutes and is a year-long, two credit high school course. To be considered, students must submit a written request for admission, provide letters of recommendation and complete an entrepreneurial profile. “The overall experience has been great and influential with meeting