Belleville CEO has impacted me in many ways. I have been impacted as a person, and in my community. In the past year I have built confidence in myself that I have never had before. This confidence allowed me to open up to communicating with my peers. Before attending this class I was very closed off from people my age, but now I can be myself with them. I have also learned to network with business owners and members of my community, allowing for growth outside of my comfort zone. I know this skill will help me vastly in the future, not only in my field of work, but also when meeting new people. The Belleville CEO experience is one of a kind, and I would choose to be in this class a million times over. CEO does not just talk about good business skills, it allows students to put them into practice. Another valuable lesson I learned in Belleville CEO is that change is not always bad. When starting my personal business, Comfort in a Cup, I was not sure what to expect, but I ended up doing more than I thought I was capable of. Starting my own business taught me that hard work pays off, especially when it comes to the tradeshow. With the year coming to an end, I feel that I can confidently recommend any incoming senior to apply for this opportunity, and I know I will hold onto these lessons for a lifetime. Looking ahead, my experience with the Belleville CEO program and my personal business are making a positive impact on my future. At a point in time I wanted to start a life outside of my community, but now I can see all that the City of Belleville has to offer. I am excited to continue striving for my goals by continuing to network, embrace change, and face every challenge head on.