American Commercial Lines and Local Businesses Promote Entrepreneurship

Pictured: Front row, left to right: Joplin Riley, Metropolis; Kendell Henderson, Belknap; Sarahn Cooper, Mound City; Alexxus Blake, Villa Ridge; Chelsey Cato, Villa Ridge; Khadijan Johnson, Cairo; Denicus Johnson, Cairo; and Beau Griffin, Anna. Standing, left to right: Paula Reineking, Southern Trust Bank, Goreville; Clint Green, PCDA; Candy Eastwood, SCC; Gabriele Farner, SCC; Derik Holder, Cairo; Dylan Green, Metropolis; Zachary Watkins, Olive Branch; Joseph Eaves, Olive Branch; Samuel Chavarria, Grand Chain; Mariah Watkins, Olive Branch; Donna Raynalds, SIDEZ; Shane Cowsert, Cypress; Brett Whitnel, SCC; Norma Turok, Country Schemes; and Andy Sisulak, Alexander County Project Manager.

Students from throughout the district attended the Elite Youth Entrepreneurship Camp this week at Shawnee Community College. The week-long camp offered career assessment, business planning, web and logo design information, and financial management ideas in their quest to explore entrepreneurship.

The students participated in many group activities and had the opportunity to learn from experts in the field of entrepreneurship. Guest speakers included Cavanaugh L. Gray of the Entrepreneur Café, Debbie Simmons and Pat Curry of the University of Illinois Extension; Paula Reineking, Southern Trust Bank and Curt Jones, Dippin Dots, Inc.

Following the students' business plan presentations on the last day of camp, Chris Egelston of Carterville added a little humor as the keynote speaker. The infotainer, author, consultant, trainer, and magician and holds a MBA from Southern Illinois University. Egelston trains and motivates audiences on sales, marketing, business and goal-setting success. His presentation to the students was based on practical and proven strategies and tactics that work in the real world.

The camp was sponsored by the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Shawnee Community College; American Commercial Lines; Southernmost Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone; Shawnee Development Council, Inc.; Cairo Chamber of Commerce; Capaha Bank; Jerry Smith, Alexander County Treasurer; Southern Trust Bank of Goreville; William Cunningham; City National Bank of Metropolis; SIU Credit Union of Metropolis; First State Bank of Olmsted; Anna State Bank; Anna-Jonesboro National Bank; Beussink, Hey, Roe, Seabaugh & Stroder; Reppert Office Supplies; and Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative.