Yesterday’s trade show post was all about our students and the incredible community that showed up to support them.

Today is about the people who made it all possible.

As I’ve had a little time to reflect on the Silver Creek Area CEO Trade Show, one thing keeps rising to the top—gratitude.

This experience simply does not happen without the people who stand behind it.

To our investors and sponsors—thank you for believing in this program and in our students. Your support creates opportunities that truly change the trajectory of their lives.

To our mentors—you committed to once a month, but in reality, you show up week after week—pouring into these students, challenging them, and encouraging them. They are better because of you.

To our Board of Directors—thank you for the countless behind-the-scenes hours that make days like this possible. From organizing logistics, to helping with tables, providing lunch for our students, capturing photos, arriving early to set up, staying late to tear down, and simply being present in support…your leadership and commitment do not go unnoticed.

To our parents and families—thank you for the early mornings, the late nights, the listening ears, and the constant encouragement. Yesterday was a reflection of all you’ve poured in along the way.

To our volunteers and community members who stepped in to help in big and small ways—thank you for showing up without hesitation.

And finally, to our incredible host site—50n4 Event Space, Bill Millikin, Ann Millikin, and Bernie Rasp-Mleczko—“thank you” feels too small. You didn’t just provide a space…you created the foundation for this entire event. From the room itself, to tents for our outdoor students, to helping secure tables through the Mascoutah Chamber of Commerce—every detail mattered.

Ann and Bernie, thank you for your hands-on help with room setup and design, both beforehand and in those final moments the day of. And Bill—so much of what you do happens quietly behind the scenes, because that’s just who you are. From anticipating needs before they arise, to being present before, during, and after the event, you truly provided anything and everything we needed. As an investor, mentor, and constant champion of our Silver Creek Area CEO program, your impact runs deep. Even beyond trade show day—creating opportunities like securing end caps in local Ace Hardware stores this summer for our students to continue growing their businesses—that kind of partnership speaks volumes. You do all of this not for recognition, but for the betterment of students, our program, and this community.

It truly takes a village to make something like this happen, and this community continues to show up in the best ways.

Thank you for being such an important part of the Silver Creek Area CEO story. ❤️