Thirteen of Montgomery County's high school seniors presented their first businesses during this year's CEO Marketplace event held Tuesday evening, May 8, at Lincoln Land Community College.

The event allowed each CEO student to present a booth with his or her business idea, where community members could support and browse inventory.

The program was launched last fall under the direction of Dr. Ryan Follis, with seniors from high schools throughout the county participating.

At the end of the evening, board member Heather Hampton+Knodle recognized each member of the CEO class of 2018, as well as the board members who were present for the event.

The Entrepreneurial Spirit Award was presented to Grant Shelton for Precision Engraving and Brea Cox for U-N-Me DJ, selected by the board of directors.

Jacob Stockamp with his business, Jake's Frozen Fix, and Alexis Stewart, with her business, Relics of Time, received the Patton & Co. Scholarship for Outstanding CEO. Stockamp also won the Most Deserving CEO Award.

Other student business owners include Grant Hamby of Age Old Spice Co., Andrew DeLaCruz of Fowl Deceiver Game Calls, Melody Sailsbury of Guild of Many Things, Morgan Arkebauer of MAC Apparel, Peyton Tester and Brynee Tally of Sky High Photography, Samantha Knodle of Victory Vinyl, Kyra Bishop-Jacobs of What A Girl Wants and Jordan Bruder of Younique Cosmetics.

Dr. Follis spoke on the successes of this year's program and introduced next year's CEO class.

Members of the 2019 CEO program include Hillsboro High School seniors Aubry Rupert, Logan Altenberger, Jordan Gregg, Landen Malloy and Blayze Horn; Nokomis High School seniors Brandon Keiser, Drew Johnson, Layne Johnson and Rebekah Follis; Litchfield High School senior Christopher Satterlee; and Lincolnwood High School seniors Gavin Long, Kaylee Putnam and Sarah Schoenherr.

For more information about the program, please visit their website at www.montgomeryceo.com.