Photo by Deb Gau The members of the first Lyon and Murray County CEO class posed for “letter of intent” photos during a kickoff celebration Monday night in Garvin. Lauren Deutz, at right, snapped a shot of CEO class member Kaden Clark.

GARVIN — It was an idea that took over a year of planning, organizers said. On Monday night, the idea became reality as area educators and businesspeople celebrated the first class of students in the new Lyon and Murray County CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities) program.

“We are very proud to have these individuals join us this year,” said Jake Scandrett, secondary school principal at Murray County Central.

An inaugural CEO class of 21 students gathered at a kickoff event held at Bitton’s Roadhouse in Garvin. Students who will be juniors and seniors in high school next year were selected through a blind application process, Scandrett said.

The CEO program will draw students from Marshall High School, Tracy Area High School, and Murray County Central out into the area business community, said Carla Goedtke, chairwoman of the Lyon and Murray County CEO board.

“This is thinking outside the box, or as we like to say, outside the classroom,” she said.

Students will learn real-life skills as they develop businesses and hold a trade show at the end of the school year.

CEO is a nationwide program with s a couple of active programs in western and southwestern Minnesota. Before Lyon and Murray County CEO was established, there were programs in the Luverne and Willmar areas.

Students who completed the Southwest Minnesota CEO program in the Luverne area said they gained a lot from their experiences.

“I learned success is not just for special people who are incredibly smart,” said Hermella Suda. “I am capable of success.”

Suda started a cleaning business, while her classmate Samantha Moser developed and marketed an agriculture-themed activity book.

“One of the big things I got out of CEO was my direction for the future,” Moser said.

She said she also learned not to be afraid of failure.

In addition to learning more about the program, Monday night’s kickoff offered students a chance to network with businesspeople and have fun with icebreaker activities.

MHS student Paige Duthoy took part in a challenge to give an “elevator pitch” for a random product — in this case, a colorful hanging ornament that spun in the wind.

“I was really excited,” Duthoy said of being chosen for CEO.

She said she saw the call for applicants during her homeroom class and decided to try it.

“My mom owns a business, so she kind of inspired me, and my aunt,” Duthoy said.

CEO would be “a great experience,” she said.

Shanda Walker, facilitator of the Lyon and Murray County CEO program, said it was going to be exciting working with students starting this fall.

“We are going to help you learn those soft skills, and really just explore the world around you and the business environment,” she told students.