This year, we are mixing things up a bit. With several students, who have already decided what individual businesses they want to start, and are planning to participate in Christmas Uptown on December 5th, there was a need to get startup capital in there hands earlier than usual. So, we called upon some local bankers to lend their expertise to the cause. A big thank you to Kevin Smerdon, presidents and CEO of Citizens National Bank in Albion, Michael Carter, chief credit officer at First National Bank of Allendale in Mount Carmel, Sheila Wallace, commercia and ag lender at First Mid Bank & Trust In Mount Carmel, and Reece Metcalf, commercial lender with First Bank in Mount Carmel, for taking time out of their busy days to meet with our students, listen to their presentations, and share their insights and experiences with them. This was a great opportunity for the students who chose to pitch to the bankers, but also for the others who were able to observe and take part in the discussion afterwards.