CEO Class Has Chance to Shine (PHOTOS ADDED)

Wednesday night's Effingham County CEO Trade Show was a celebration, and many people chose to join the party.

The two dozen CEO students had an opportunity to market their businesses to a crowd at the Effingham Performance Center that at times packed the lobby.  Those who attended saw entrepreneurs who offered home maintenance, 3D printing, bow ties, sporting goods, and ways to become more social media savvy.

(SOME IDEA OF THE CROWD ON HAND FOR THE CEO TRADE SHOW THURSDAY)

Two students focused on promoting people-helping activities.  Rachel Bierman is promoting the Bark for Life event coming up this Sunday at Evergreen Hollow Park as a way to raise funds for the battle against cancer.  Cassie Stanfield is organizing a Color Run to raise money for St. Louis Children's Hospital on May 17.

(RACHEL BIERMAN IS READY FOR "BARK FOR LIFE" THIS SUNDAY AT EVERGREEN HOLLOW PARK)

Everyone, though, had the opportunity to demonstrate to those present what they've worked on literally for months as they've learned about how to be a successful entrepreneur.

Awards were presented at the conclusion of the Trade Show.

CEO Board Chairman Dick Rhodes presented the Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Zach Tegeler.

(ZACH TEGELER AND DICK RHODES)

Garrett Ziegler won two scholarship awards; the Schultz Family Award presented by Audra Schultz, and the Open Prairie Ventures Award presented by Jeff Traub.

(GARRETT ZIEGLER WITH JEFF TRAUB OF OPEN PRAIRIE VENTURES)