CEO Program hosting events to provide seed money for student start-ups
Students in the Perryville CEO Program are hosting two events in December to raise seed money needed to launch their own start-up businesses. Community members can support these young entrepreneurs by participating in the Holiday Hustle 5K on Dec. 7 or the Holiday Trivia Night on Dec. 16.
The Holiday Hustle 5K is set for 8 am Saturday, Dec. 7 at the TG Missouri Trail. This event is for runners, joggers, and walkers. Registration for this family-friendly event is $25 per person in advance (children age 5 and under are free). Payment is due on the day of the event (cash/check) with check-in at 7 am. The link to register is https://bit.ly/3Z1Tm0X. If you register on the day of the event, the fee is $30. “Participants will receive cups and koozies filled with holiday treats, and snacks and fun gifts will be found along the trail,” said student Lexi Johnson. “Medals will be awarded by age group, as well as the Top 3 finishers for men and women. Our goal is to have 200 participants.” For more information, email Lexi Johnson at l06johnson@icloud.com.
The Holiday Trivia Night is set for Monday, Dec. 16 at Robinson Event Center. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the 8-round trivia contest starts at 6 pm. Teams of up to 8 people can register by Dec. 11 for $160 at https://bit.ly/4hMm2Ta. “Our goal is to have 20 teams compete,” said student Waylon Huber. “This is a holiday-themed trivia and we’re encouraging people to wear Christmas attire or ugly sweaters. You can bring your own snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, and we’ll also have a snack shack set up for freewill donations. Santa will be auctioning some items between rounds, too.” For more information, email Waylon Huber at huberw2026@pcsd32.com.
The Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities (CEO) Program is a 3-hour block program at Perryville High School in partnership with Perryville Area Career & Technology Center. Students from Perryville, Saxony Lutheran, and St. Vincent High Schools who live in Perry County spend class time in local businesses learning from the people who drive the progress and success of Perry County.
“This program is a true partnership between our schools and our business community,” said program facilitator Amy Camarillo. “Students are immersed in the business world from Day 1 with the opportunity to learn from experts in nearly every industry and service area, from banking to government to marketing to trucking. The next phase of the program begins when students are matched to mentors who will help them develop a business idea, create a business plan, and launch that business here in our community.”
The Perryville Area CEO Program Advisory Board brings together local leaders from many industries and organizations. Jared Cochran of Speed Fabrication and Carisa Stark of Mary Jane Burgers and Brews are the co-chairs, and members are EDA Executive Director Crystal Jones, Dave Monier of Robinson Construction Company, Ed Flores of The Bank of Missouri, Dennis Bohnert of First State Community Bank, Amy Kiehne of Saxony Lutheran High School, Melanie Dodd of St. Vincent High School, and Craig Hayden of District 32.
For more information about the Perryville CEO program, contact any board member or program facilitator Amy Camarillo at acamarillo@pcsd32.com.