2026 ๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ ๐ฃ๐๐๐ โ ๐ฃ๐ฑ๐ช๐ฝโ๐ผ ๐ช ๐๐ป๐ช๐น!
Since August, CEO students have been developing an individual business venture, a side hustle that they could launch during their senior year of high school. This morning, each of our students presented a 3-minute pitch deck to an incredible panel of community judges.
Not only did they demonstrate business knowledge of their problem, solution, customers, target market, competitive advantages, potential value, and potential prize useโฆthey endured a 2-minute Q & A session with our โsharksโ and absolutely NAILED IT!
We are thrilled to announce the top candidates scored by our judgesโฆdrum roll pleaseโฆ
๐ฅ 1๐ข๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐๐ ($300)
Dia Villhard | Glisten Gem Kits | FMCHS
๐ฅ 2๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ($200)
Simon Stearns | Stearns Honey | EHS
๐ฅ 3๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ($100)
Matthew Huddle | Metro East ACT Prep | EHS
This year, we had several additional categories to spotlight incredible presentations. Congratulations to the students below for being awarded the following categories by their judges and peers:
๐#๐ฏ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐ | Cooper Wittek | HangBack Hammocks | EHS
๐#๐ด๐๐๐๐ณ๐๐๐๐๐๐ป๐๐บ๐๐๐๐ | Zane Maxwell | Barnwood Resin Studio | EHS
๐#๐ด๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ท๐ท๐ฌ๐ต | Sophia Noascono | happy little movements | EHS
๐#๐ช๐ฌ๐ถ๐ท๐๐๐๐
(Peer elected!) | Antonella De Avila | Glossy X Nails | EHS
๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐:
This event would not have been possible without our incredible panel of judges:
๐ Adam Walters | President/CEO BloxByte Games | Edwardsville CEO Class of 2019!
๐ Dr. Mario Hayek | Dean, SIUE School of Business
๐ Matt McSparin | President/CEO | Edison's Entertainment Complex @edisonsentertainment
๐ Megan Pashea | Co-Owner | 1818 Chophouse
๐ Loren King | President, Woaha Consulting
๐ Steve Cooper | Division President | First Mid Bank & Trust
SCOTT CREDIT UNION COMMUNITY FOUNDATION for sponsoring our event and prize money! Scott Credit Union
REVITY CREDIT UNION for sponsoring the bonus prize categories!
THE INK HOUSE, Kristen Pfund & Laraeli Barron for providing an amazing venue and incredible service!
๐ฎ CHICK-FIL-A & Phillip Brunner, for constantly fueling us with amazing food.
EMCEE, Lacy Able, it was a pleasure having you lead today's event!
Today's event would not have been possible without our Entrepreneurial Extraordinaire, Doug Villhard (Academic Director for Entrepreneurship at WashU), for teaching students how to craft the โperfect pitchโ and for all of his entrepreneurial advice! Doug, you have given these students an incredible gift. From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU!
--
To each of our young entrepreneurs...bravo. You've made your community proud!
They've planned...they've pitched...get ready to watch them LAUNCH their businesses at our 2026 Edwardsville CEO Trade Show on Sunday, May 3rd at The Ink House. Follow our FB and Instagram for event details to be posted soon!
Edwardsville High School - Father McGivney Catholic High School - Metro-East Lutheran High School
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