Wednesday morning at Silver Creek Area CEO Fish Tank was electric. Our students walked in full of nerves, excitement, and determination. Some wore suits and ties, others dressed to represent their businesses, and every single one of them showed up ready to step into a big moment.
Each student had just three minutes to pitch their business through a slide deck and presentation. They shared something they’ve poured months of time and heart into, and then answered tough questions from our judges with courage and composure. Every student absolutely delivered.
It was a morning to remember, and none of it would have been possible without so many people:
To our five judges, Eric Van Hook, Virginia Kerr, Matt Trout, Debbie Arell-Martinez, and Carrie Christ, thank you for your time, thoughtful questions, and encouragement. You made this experience meaningful.
To Wisper Internet, thank you for giving us a home base and a place for this program to happen each day.
To June's Breakfast + Patio, thank you for donating the coffee that morning — it made a big difference for our early morning!
To our mentors, thank you for walking alongside these students, guiding, challenging, and supporting them every step of the way.
To the parents, thank you for sharing your students with us and for letting us witness these proud moments.
To everyone who came out to support the students, your presence made the morning even more special.
To our students’ schools—Freeburg Community High School, Lebanon CUSD #9, Mascoutah School District 19, OTHS - O'Fallon Township High School District 203, thank you for supporting these seniors and for helping make CEO part of their growth.
To our investors across our communities, thank you for believing in this program from the start and making our inaugural year possible.
To our Board of Directors, thank you for your vision and your dedication to making this program a reality! We couldn’t do this without your constant behind the scenes work.
And last but most certainly not least….to our board chair, Wendy Symer and WLS Consulting, thank you for providing the prize money that gives these students the chance to invest in and grow their businesses.
Now let’s share the results….the moment these students have been working toward — our special honors and top placements:
Special Recognition Awards:
Outstanding Presentation Award: Macie Dill
Innovation Award: Timothy James
Excellence in Q & A: DJ Schmitz
Growth Potential Award: Sadeem Alqadi
CEO Pride Award (voted on by peers): Collin Adams
Entrepreneurial Grit Award (chosen by facilitator): Eli Slightom
And finally…our BIG WINNERS!
3rd Place: Michael Rottschalk
2nd Place: Brenton Hunter
1st Place: Scott Stoelzle
Congratulations to each of these students — what an incredible achievement! And truly, every student who pitched should be proud. Standing up, sharing your business, and answering tough questions takes courage, and each one of our students showed exactly that.
Every step of this journey is new for all of us because this is our inaugural year. We are learning and growing together, and that makes moments like this even more meaningful.
If you missed Fish Tank on Wednesday, you still have the opportunity to support these students at our Trade Show on Sunday, April 19th. Keep watching our page for details, but for now, save the date.
To our students, remember this feeling. The growth, grit, courage, and persistence you showed are what will carry you forward. Keep going. You are capable of far more than you know.
I love Silver Creek Area CEO.
I love what it stands for.
And I’m so thankful for everyone walking this journey with us. ❤️
