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Complete the Request More Information form to be notified when the application opens.
01
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Fill out the request form below to learn more about CEO and receive text updates about the application process. You can do this whether or not the application has opened yet!
02
Start Your Application
When applications open, you’ll get a text with a direct link. Our blind review hides names and personal details, so selection is based on your potential and interest. The application is a simple 6-step process.
03
Submit Before The Application Window Closes
Late submissions won’t be considered. Submit a 150-word personal narrative on why you want to be a part of CEO, complete a character survey, provide the required character references (set by your program), and obtain parent/guardian approval.
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Alumni Testimonials
CEO Alumni bring a unique retrospective to the CEO journey. After experiencing CEO, alumni continue to utilize the skills learned to create an impact in the CEO community and beyond!
Jeremiah Watters
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Jeremiah Watters is a senior at Edwardsville highschool. He is a proud member of CEO and is involved in Edwardsville’s Football team and National Honors society. Jeremiah enjoys lifting, competing in triathlons, playing guitar, and working on cars. He gives back to the community by participating in his school’s Care Closet and Cards for Hospitalized Kids Club as well as helping with the Equipping the Called toy drive. This past spring and summer Jeremiah worked for the city's parks and recreation department as a maintenance worker at Plummer Park. Jeremiah plans on getting either a finance degree or mechanical engineering degree after high school. Jeremiah is excited for the connection with the community and hands-on experience CEO provides.
Sophia Noascono
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Sophia Noascono is a Senior at Edwardsville highschool. She keeps a very busy schedule and loves being involved in as much as she possibly can. Sophia cheers Friday night football games, works a part-time job at Source Juicery, assists in a local small business jewelry company, is her class secretary, and is a student athletic trainer for her school. Any time she has left is spent at the yoga studio as yoga is truly one of her greatest passions. She is currently working toward her RYT-200hr certification, which will allow her to teach within the year. Sophia also enjoys reading, thrift/antique shopping, old music, baking, and anything outdoorsy. It is extremely important to her that in her lifetime she sees as much of the world as possible and experience everything she can. After high school, Sophia hopes to attend the University of Kansas, majoring in athletic training, and minoring in clinical nutrition, all while teaching yoga. She aims to eventually work for a professional sports team where she can use her combined knowledge to aid in athlete recovery and wellness with the potential to one day open her own yoga studio. Sophia is extremely excited about the opportunities and lessons brought through the CEO program and would not imagine spending her senior year any other way!
Kaiden Nelson
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Kaiden Nelson is a Senior at Edwardsville High School. Kaiden was selected as a member of the 2026 CEO program, and is very devoted to academic achievement. He is enrolled in multiple national honors societies as well as an AP course and is on High Honor Roll. Kaiden is community-oriented serving as an officer and editor for EHS Key club, a club designed to lead initiatives to support developmentally challenged students. His involvement in Unified sports, Care Closet, and FLS programs highlight his dedication to inclusivity and teamwork. Kaiden also spends much of his time both in and out of school enjoying creative arts such as photography, of which he is a head photographer in the EHS yearbook program, and painting and drawing as a member of the national art honors society. Kaiden is also an active member of Student Council, helping to organize student events and advocate for students' interests. Kaiden is very excited for the opportunities to grow as a leader and make a lasting impact on his community through the lessons learned in CEO.
Andrew Adams
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Andrew is a senior at Metro East Lutheran High School. He plays on the football team, baseball team, and the band, playing saxophone at his school. He’s a captain on the football team and is also a member of National Honors Society. During his free time Andrew loves spending time with family and friends, playing frisbee golf, and going fishing. He also loves his job at Walmart and working with a local contractor in Edwardsville over the summer. After high school, Andrew plans on going to SIUE and getting a degree in construction management. He’s excited to see how CEO will broaden his perspective on entrepreneurship and help him make connections in the community.
Josephine Gehlbach
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Josephine Gehlbach is a senior at Edwardsville High School. She is currently getting her general college education done at Lewis and Clark Community College. Josie is currently working at Blue Wave Martial Arts and Fitness as an office employee, as well as a martial arts instructor for ages 3 all the way up to adults. Outside of school and work she enjoys going to see live music, volunteering for Special Olympics, spending time with friends, and doing anything outside or with ATVs. She hopes to earn her Certified Public Accounting license by 21 and work for a government agency, then go back to college to eventually become a forensic accountant for the FBI. Josie is excited to go through the CEO program to learn more about the business world, as the knowledge she will learn is priceless and is a huge advantage when entering the work force.