Fifteen young entrepreneurs are finishing up their high school careers and wrapping up their CEO program experiences culminating in the annual trade show on Friday evening. To preview the event and their ventures, a dozen of year ten’s students dropped by Carmi Kiwanis Thursday. This year’s trade show will be held at the Seed Station (404 5th Street, Carmi, IL 62821) from 5pm – 7pm. It’s another new location after program participation outgrew the Rice Motors showroom and then became needed following the uncertainty surrounding the floral hall’s status.
This year’s businesses include:
Lathan Erwin – Through Lathan’s Lens
Gabie Conover – The Custom Cup Co.
Journee Williams – Stacked by Journee
Braylon Phillips – The Soda Lab
Lexi Windle – The 4:13 Bowtique
Jax Jordan – Jordan Swing Lab
Trinity McCormick – The Leather Loft
Addy Dosher – Berry Good Compotes
Jaylee Goff – Made to Pop
Emily Glaser – Tied for you by Emily
Torrie Rider – Cupcake Scentsations
Sophia Thomason – Sophisticated Jewelry
Ally Pollard – Rose & Bows
Jovie Wagner – Simply Mist
Chloe (Veatch) Elliott – Hestia
Cash is king at the trade show though some entrepreneurs are set up to accept Venmo or will accept checks. Products will be available for purchase and appointment books will be open for service providers.
Also in attendance at the meeting, there were five Key Club juniors who have been accepted into the 2026/2027 CEO Class. They include Alexus Gates, Marley Stephens, Emma Legg, Johanna Zieren, and Katelyn Davis. Program facilitator Tracy Orr says next year’s class will have 16 students, ten from CWCHS and six from NCOE. The breakdown for next year is 15 girls and one young man.