Learning to lead the way CEO program gives high school students a chance to learn on the job 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. The days of learning about career possibilities in a stuffy classroom with a grainy slide “We’re really good at encouraging each other and we’re all from different backshow are long gone at Austin High School. grounds,” Heimer said. “We’ve really grown with teamwork, and personally I’ve noticed For the past four years, a select group of 22 students have had an in-person learning that I’ve grown in my ability to speak and make plans. experience on how to run a business and make connecWe’ve done a lot of networking and made a lot of connections. The Mower County CEO program allows students tions. We’ve really learned about Austin. I had no idea Austo create their own ideas, form their own plans, and learn tin had this many businesses. It honestly opened my eyes to about current businesses that reside in Austin. how amazing Austin is.” The CEO program includes students from AHS and PaAustin senior Hewan Dagmawi used to be shy and recelli High School. served, but she has learned to believe in herself from the The students involved in the program describe it as a confidence that she has gained through the program. She field trip every day and it offers a unique learning expenow has visions of getting into the fashion industry in a rience that teaches real life skills for real life experiences. business management role. Austin senior Christina Velazquez is using the program to “I think I can put a lot out there and maybe change the work on her business, which involves bringing plants into world,” Dagmawi said. “There are ups and downs, but creative work spaces. when it comes to the CEO program, it’s a boost in my perShe has enjoyed watching her idea grow into an actual sonality and my work ethic. CEO really pushes you to be the business plan. best. I wish I would just have CEO for eight hours straight, “This is a place to be creative, be myself and a place for because I’m more engaged and I put my all into it.” me to show all of my talents and what I can bring to the Austin senior Ryan Aguilar has also learned to be more table,” Velazquez said. “Being with like-minded people social through the CEO program. He has learned a lot is really rewarding. It helps you feel like you’re not alone. Hayden Lunt talks members of the Mower CEO Program about money management and he’s learning how to work Sometimes being in a school with people who don’t alboard about progress on the class fundraiser during a with others on projects. ways think the way that you do can be a little bit draining meeting at the YMCA at Austin Community Recreation “The program allows us to do something that we always and people don’t understand. The people in this class Center. wanted to do. Whether it’s a cooking business, or a profeshave the same entrepreneurial spirit.” sional business, CEO will give you the opportunity,” Aguilar Program facilitator Emily Hovland has been involved said. “It’s so diverse and you get an insight of what being in with the CEO program for all four years. The first year of the program had 16 students the outside world really is. You’re able to build connections and build networks.” sign up and this year there were 50 applicants, with only 22 spots available. In the grand scheme of things, the CEO program is a springboard that could propel “It’s growing a lot, our students are developing skills and they are thriving with it,” all of its students in the direction their life will be headed in the years to come. They will Hovland said. “Everything they do is in the community. They visit 55 businesses and they make lasting business connections and learn lessons that will help them well beyond learn from various speakers. They run everything and they can make money.” their time in high school. P Austin senior Denni Heimer has developed a business model that includes hand craftBy Rocky Hulne
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