As this year of CEO comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on how much this experience has meant to me. I am so thankful for every opportunity, lesson, and relationship that came from this program. A special thank you to my mentors, Wes and Madison Smith, for always encouraging me to do my best and pushing me to keep going even when things got stressful. Your support truly meant so much to me throughout this journey. One of my favorite memories from this year was the Joe’s Tour. It was so inspiring hearing how far they have come and learning about their ongoing transition into their new building. Through my individual business, Karlee’s Kreations, I learned how important it is to prioritize, manage my time, and stay productive. Balancing everything taught me responsibility and helped me grow not only as a business owner, but also as a person. What I’ll miss most is getting to see and talk to the same people every day. Over time we all grew so close, and those friendships and memories are something I’ll always value. My advice to the Class of 2027 is to always stay on top of things and don’t let yourself get behind, because everything creeps up on you very quickly. Work hard, stay organized, and enjoy every moment because the year goes by faster than you think.