Gateway CEO is a hands-on business experience class for high school Seniors in Collinsville, Triad, Maryville Christian and Highland School Districts. This privately funded program is a partnership amongst the schools, community leaders, and active board members to launch students into a year of real life learning through networking events, guest speakers that come to Truck Centers Training Center, and site visits to local businesses. As the students process this information, they also will create a 'Class Business' managing all details during first semester. During the second half of the year, students will develop their own business plan and launch their companies at a Trade Show in the Spring.
During this process, students are engaged in multiple mentoring opportunities with our community leaders. From one-on-one mentoring, to reviewing financials during banker day, to prepping for strong presentations in their pitch competition, the individual learning is shaped by mentoring from multiple avenues.
On Thursday, the Training Center room was filled with over 20 Mentors meeting this class of 2026. Engaged in Gateway CEO style speed dating, the students and mentors spend an hour getting to know a little bit about each other as we work to match the mentors and students to not only receive insights in their current business plan, but creating relationships that can last into their futures as they take new steps after graduation.
Mentors share what they do today, and what they want to do when they grow up, also offering one piece of life/business advice. Students introduce themselves with strong handshakes and shed light on their business ideas, what they aspire to do in their future and a fear they may have in creating their own business.
Honestly, the morning was electric with connecting, laughter, genuine interest and the circle of life that has multiple generations learning from each other in ways that each may not expect. While the matching is still being worked through, I'm 100% certain that this will be an impactful few months for our students and Gateway CEO family of mentors.
Thank you for showing up and being awesome! We look forward to sharing more highlights as this year progresses.
