Our next graduation recognition is Grady Yoder from Mascoutah High School.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most this year is watching students begin to realize just how many people are cheering them on and invested in their success. Grady shared that one of his standout moments was our Meet and Greet at the beginning of the year.
“The meet and greet at the very beginning of the year was something that really stood out to me because it was the first time that I truly realized how many people care about the success of our CEO program as a whole because there were people there from all over the Metro East area who came just to support us and our entrepreneurial goals.”
I also appreciate Grady’s honesty in what he learned throughout this experience. Entrepreneurship is not easy, and one of the greatest areas of growth I see in students is learning resilience, perseverance, and how to keep moving forward even when things do not go as planned. Grady reflected:
“The main takeaway I had about real business or myself throughout the CEO program was that things such as starting up your own business is not easy by any means possible and there is a good chance you will fail the first, second, and maybe even your third time in attempting to start a business. As long as you keep your head up and keep striving for entrepreneurial success then that is all that will matter in the long run.”
Grady also recognized the people who help make this program possible, sharing appreciation for Vern Hamm, Wendy Symer, and Tim Boyce for the time, energy, and effort they pour into ensuring the success of our program.
He also shared the impact his mentor, Allyson Otey, had on him this year:
“My own mentor, Allyson Otey, had a huge impact on me simply because of our similar personalities and attitudes, but also because I could tell how much she cared about me and my business and what I had going on when she easily could have dismissed everything I had to say or ask her.”
This fall, Grady will attend Mizzou to study Sports Management and Pre-Law. Congratulations, Grady. Thank you for the positivity, honesty, and determination you brought to our program this year. We are excited to see all that your future holds.
