Belleville CEO has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my high school career. At the beginning of the year, I was quiet and nervous about speaking up. I wasn’t comfortable stepping into new situations or sharing my thoughts in front of a group. But over time, this program helped me build confidence—not just in my communication skills, but in myself.

One of the biggest things CEO has taught me is how important it is to make strong connections. Networking isn’t just a slogan—it’s real, and it matters. I’ve learned to treat every person I meet as someone who could make a difference in my journey. You never know who you’ll run into again or who might help connect you to your next opportunity. That’s why I’ve also learned not to burn bridges and to always offer help when I can. Kindness and professionalism go a long way.

I’ve also grown a lot in public speaking. I used to get really nervous, but now I feel much more confident when presenting or pitching ideas. During our class business project, I helped secure sponsorships and contributed to our marketing efforts. Working with a team taught me how to collaborate with different personalities, solve problems, and keep pushing forward even when things didn’t go perfectly.

Most importantly, CEO helped me figure out my path. I’ve decided to pursue a career in aviation, and I’ve been attending SWIC to train to become a pilot. The skills I’ve learned from CEO, like time management, leadership, and creative thinking, will definitely help me in the aviation field and beyond.

I’m truly grateful for my classmates, mentor, and all the business leaders we met this year. To anyone thinking about joining CEO: take every opportunity, ask questions, and treat every interaction like it matters, because it does.