LEARNING TO LEAD THE WAY

CEO program gives high school students a chance to learn on the job

By Rocky Hulne

The days of learning about career possibilities in a stuffy classroom with a grainy slide show are long gone at Austin High School.

For the past four years, a select group of 22 students have had an in-person learning experience on how to run a business and make connections. The Mower County CEO program allows students to create their own ideas, form their own plans, and learn about current businesses that reside in Austin.

The CEO program includes students from AHS and Pacelli High School.

The students involved in the program describe it as a field trip every day and it offers a unique learning experience that teaches real life skills for real life experiences. Austin senior Christina Velazquez is using the program to work on her business, which involves bringing plants into creative work spaces.

She has enjoyed watching her idea grow into an actual business plan.

“This is a place to be creative, be myself and a place for me to show all of my talents and what I can bring to the table,” Velazquez said. “Being with like-minded people is really rewarding. It helps you feel like you’re not alone. Sometimes being in a school with people who don’t always think the way that you do can be a little bit draining and people don’t understand. The people in this class have the same entrepreneurial spirit.”

Program facilitator Emily Hovland has been involved with the CEO program for all four years. The first year of the program had 16 students sign up and this year there were 50 applicants, with only 22 spots available.

“It’s growing a lot, our students are developing skills and they are thriving with it,” Hovland said. “Everything they do is in the community. They visit 55 businesses and they learn from various speakers. They run everything and they can make money.”

Austin senior Denni Heimer has developed a business model that includes hand craft-

ed rugs that she hopes can improve people’s mental health. Heimer said that the CEO program has turned her focus inwards to her community and opened her eyes to some things that she was not previously aware of. “We’re really good at encouraging each other and we’re all from different backgrounds,” Heimer said. “We’ve really grown with teamwork, and personally I’ve noticed that I’ve grown in my ability to speak and make plans. We’ve done a lot of networking and made a lot of connections. We’ve really learned about Austin. I had no idea Austin had this many businesses. It honestly opened my eyes to how amazing Austin is.” Austin senior Hewan Dagmawi used to be shy and reserved, but she has learned to believe in herself from the confidence that she has gained through the program. She now has visions of getting into the fashion industry in a business management role. “I think I can put a lot out there and maybe change the world,” Dagmawi said. “There are ups and downs, but when it comes to the CEO program, it’s a boost in my personality and my work ethic. CEO really pushes you to be the best. I wish I would just have CEO for eight hours straight, because I’m more engaged and I put my all into it.” Austin senior Ryan Aguilar has also learned to be more social through the CEO program. He has learned a lot Hayden Lunt talks members of the Mower CEO Program about money management and he’s learning how to work board about progress on the class fundraiser during a with others on projects.meeting at the YMCA at Austin Community Recreation “The program allows us to do something that we always Center. wanted to do. Whether it’s a cooking business, or a professional business, CEO will give you the opportunity,” Aguilar said. “It’s so diverse and you get an insight of what being in the outside world really is. You’re able to build connections and build networks.” In the grand scheme of things, the CEO program is a springboard that could propel all of its students in the direction their life will be headed in the years to come. They will make lasting business connections and learn lessons that will help them well beyond their time in high school. P

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Carrie Whiteaker leans over to confer with Kadence Morehouse, right, and Emma Haugen, left during a meeting of the Mower County CEO program in January at the YMCA at the

Austin Community Recreation Center. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com