The very first CEO class for Fayette County will have their very first meeting session on Friday. The CEO program is designed to create entrepreneurial opportunities for high school seniors in a year long course that is designed to utilize partnerships with area businesses and business leaders and provide an overview of business development. The program has flourished around the area, originally getting started in Effingham County and spreading to several area counties–such as Montgomery County and Bond County, who is just starting their second year of the program. As for Fayette County, the first class is Blake Morrison, Dustin Lott, Clark Pearson, J’Amy Jackson, Cori Hipsher, Reyna Arenas, Jamilyn Wheatley, Sarah Craig and Blake Barth from Vandalia High School, Macy Cripe from Brownstown High School and Marlee Nolen of St. Elmo High School. And, the Facilitator for the group will be longtime Vandalia School District educator Debbie Hobbie. The group will meet each morning, having a different meeting outside of school each quarter. By the end of the school year, the students will have developed their own business and be part of a large trade show in the community.