JCHS CEO students run Jolly Shop in Jerseyville
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
By Beth Bear
Jersey County Business Association
Submitted Photo
JCHS CEO students run their class business, the Jolly Shop, on Sunday, Dec. 12. The shop was additionally open on Dec. 18.
The Jersey Community High School (JCHS) CEO class opened its class business, the Jolly Shop on Sunday, Dec. 12, to a steady crowd of customers. The Jolly Shop was a Christmas Pop Up Shop, which featured Christmas ornaments, festive tumblers, and holiday treats. The tumblers and ornaments could be customized in shop for an additional fee. The Jolly Shop was also open on Saturday Dec. 18, from 1-6pm.
There was a children’s craft area, where kiddos hung out and made one of three beaded ornaments on the premises. A member of the Jolly Shop team was available to help children at the free craft area, so their supervising adult could browse the shop. The Jolly Shop also offered a gift-wrapping service, where presents could be brought in to be wrapped for $3 for standard sized package.
It was located at 117 N. State Street in Jerseyville. Some may know this space better as the office space of 1:16 Lawn Care, who generously donated a portion of their premises to the CEO class for their pop-up shop.
Each year, high school seniors and juniors who elect to take the CEO Program start a class business. Previous year’s of class businesses have included the sales of themed snack boxes (eg for the Super Bowl) or a Gatsby themed dinner auction. After the class, business students begin their own personal business.
During this year long class, students will write a business plan, refine that business plan, start a business, sell their goods or services, and find out exactly what it means to be an entrepreneur. They do all of this with the help of the CEO teacher, or facilitator, and a mentor from the local business community.
Chris Simon from the Bank of Calhoun County is the Chair of the CEO Board of Directors. He says that the goal is to prepare CEO students for their careers ahead of them, whatever they are.
“Regardless of what our CEO students go on to do with their lives, the skills they learn on this course will stand them in good stead. Our students learn to creatively solve problems, work as a team, and develop soft skills,” said Simon.
Many local businesses have been supportive to the CEO Program since its inception, allowing students to visit their premises and giving them advice. Further, the CEO program is entirely funded by the business community.
This course is offered at the Jersey Community High School at no cost to the school district. For the 2021/2022 school year, the CEO Program has been sponsored by Loellke Plumbing, 1st MidAmerica Credit Union, CNB Bank & Trust, Contegra Construction Company, Edward Jones – Andrea Yoder, Farmers State Bank, Hardin Financial, Heneghan and Associates PC, Jersey Community Hospital District, Edward Jones – Jeremy LaPlant, Jerseyville Banking Center, MJM Electric Cooperative Inc, Macias Insurance Agency, Moore Painting Company, Safe Harbor Wealth Management, Tonsor Custom Awards & Decals, Turman Contracting, Wittman & Lorton Law Offices, Royal Banks of Jerseyville, Bank of Calhoun County, Jersey State Bank, Edward Jones – Steve Medford, and Droege and Associates . This program would not be possible without their financial support.
One of the many goals of this program is to show local students that success in business can be found right here at home. If any businesses are interested in learning more about the program, or supporting the program in future you can email facilitator@jerseycountyceo.com.
If any students are interested in learning more, please speak to your guidance counsellor. The program is open to all high school juniors and seniors and enrollment is open now.
