This is Richland County CEO Member, Ainsley Doris. Today marks the last day of my senior year, and as I reflect back on the year, there are many people who have helped and supported me through my year in CEO. From members of the community and investors who were always willing to share a piece of advice; our excellent facilitator, Sheri Gray who was there through the wins and the losses; my mentor, Sara Peavler who always encouraged me; to the active board members looking for me to succeed, I certainly did not go on this journey alone, and I am thankful to everyone who was a part of it. My favorite memory of CEO was when I was at the class business event, “Bake It, Until You Make It,” I went to the upstairs loft and looked down at the successful event we had created for our community. Seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces and knowing I had been the CEO of a successful event that still gets talked about months later was genuinely inspiring to keep doing hard things. I will miss the daily conversations with Sheri and the other entrepreneurs; our debriefs and bonding will be something I forever cherish. To the CEO Class of 2026, my advice is to take it all in and know that in the end, you will be a better, more prepared person because of this program. Even when it seems difficult in the moment, remember, you will come out of this program ahead of your peers, with life skills that not many teenagers develop until later in life.