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Alumni Testimonials
CEO Alumni bring a unique retrospective to the CEO journey. After experiencing CEO, alumni continue to utilize the skills learned to create an impact in the CEO community and beyond!
Grayson Schwartz
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Grayson is a senior at Edwardsville High School and a proud member of Edwardsville CEO and National Honor Society. He is also a member of Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), Engineering Club, and Rotary Interact. Grayson enjoys lacrosse and plans to play with Edwardsville United this Spring. His interests include boating, fishing, scuba diving, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Grayson attends Metro Church and is a junior member of Edwardsville Neighbors in Need. He helps others in the community by organizing neighborhood food drives, donating supplies for senior gift bags, doing yard work, raising funds for pancreatic cancer, and leads a Turkey Trot team. This summer, Grayson worked at Madison Communications, where he gained hands-on experience splicing and burying fiber optic cable and strengthening his technical skills. He is exploring options as to where he will attend college, but plans to pursue degrees in Engineering (Bio-Medical or Mechanical) and Entrepreneurship. He is excited for new opportunities this CEO program will bring, and is hoping to meet new people and learn new skills that will help him succeed in the future.
Alethea Ball
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Thea Ball is a senior at Metro East Lutheran High School. Thea is on the MELHS tennis, basketball, and softball teams. She also participates in National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Honor Choir. Outside of school, she participates in the Quercus Grove 4H Club, her church’s youth group, and she is employed at Hamel McDonald’s. Thea enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, watching movies, deer hunting, and being outside. After high school Thea plans to attend college and become a middle school teacher. Thea is grateful for the opportunity to be in CEO and is excited for all the things she will learn this year.
Grace Nesbit
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Grace Nesbit is a senior at Father McGivney Catholic High School. She is a dedicated member of the varsity volleyball team, and now serves as co-captain. She is currently a house leader, National Honors Society Committee Head, the National Honors Society Secretary, a student ambassador, a member of the hair department for the drama club, and a member of the knitting club. Outside of school, she loves to read, spend time with her loved ones, and do group exercise classes like yoga. She also runs a social media account where she shares her daily experiences, inspiring girls to be themselves. Grace has been an employee at The YMCA as a childcare worker for over two years, and babysits whenever her schedule allows. In college, she plans to major in nursing with a minor in Spanish on the path to become a nurse practitioner and possibly own her own clinic. Grace is excited for the opportunity to be a part of the CEO program, meet new people, and gain knowledge that will last a lifetime!
Matthew Huddle
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Mathew Huddle is a Senior at Edwardsville High School. He enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and spending time with friends and family. At school, he is president of the Science National Honors Society, a member of National Honors Society (NHS), Key Club, and part of the Unified Basketball and Football team. Matthew spent his summer working as a tutor at Kumon and continues to work part time during the school year. In the future, Matthew looks forward to getting a degree in finance or data science at a university not known at this time. Matthew is excited for the opportunities that await him in the CEO program. He hopes to develop skills in CEO that will help him navigate through the world of business.
Schaefer Bates
Edwardsville CEO
Class of 2026
Schaefer Bates is a senior at Edwardsville High School. He spends time on the tennis courts and at the gym. In his free time, Schaefer likes to hang out with his friends, golf, and play pickleball. He is a dedicated podcast host of The Jungle Sports Podcast. He is also a member of the Superintendent Student Advisory Board, Key Club, National Honor Society, Boys Varsity Tennis Team, and Care Closet. He prides himself on being a good communicator who is always looking to learn. Schaefer’s future plan is to get a degree in business and become a successful entrepreneur. Joining the CEO has inspired him to learn how to network and to build connections. Schaefer is excited to see where his journey takes him and is grateful for the opportunities ahead.