Austin (A.J.) Downing is a Junior at Sparta High School.  He is serving as the Chief Financial Officer for the Randolph County startUp program this year. A.J. plans on woodworking and making handmade pens like he has in the past. He enjoys doing this and hopes to make a small, successful woodworking business. A.J. is actively in the Student Council and plans on joining SkillUSA this year. After High School, he plans on going to Southwestern Illinois College for two years to pursue an Associates degree in engineering and science.  After SWIC, he would like to transfer to Missouri University of Science and Technology. After obtaining a masters degree, Downing wants to become an entrepreneur and buy some small businesses. He chose to join StartUp in hopes to be educated more about how business owners run their business.

​Simone Liefer is a Senior at Red Bud High School. She is this year's Randolph County StartUP class co-CEO. Simone runs cross country in the fall and is a coach for Girls on The Run in the spring. Simone has been running cross country since 5th grade and since attending Red Bud High School, her team has been conference champions 2 times. She enjoys photography and spending time with her friends and family. She is also a member of the RBHS science club and FCA. After high school, she plans to attend SWIC but is unsure for what . “StartUP will give me many opportunities to meet new people, help improve my communication skills, and learn how to make important decisons.”

Landon Luthy is a Senior at Red Bud high school. Landon is the Chief Marketing Officer for the startUp program. He joined startUp to learn about the financial side that a business goes through. Landon has been a member of FFA for 4 years and is playing golf for his second year and running track for his fourth year for the high school. During the summer, Landon spends his time working on his family farm and working at the Shooting complex for the Grand American. After high school, Landon plans to attend Rend Lake College and major in Agricultural Business.  He is planning to take over his family farm in the future and become a successful farmer. Landon is hoping that the business he creates during his time in  startUp can be one of his businesses in the future.

Logan Shaw is a Junior at Sparta High School.  Logan is serving as the Thank You Manager of the Randolph County startUp program. Logan enjoys actively participating in FFA. She is now the chapter president and section treasurer. She has held previous offices, as chapter secretary and treasurer. Other extracurricular activities that Logan has participated in, include Student Council, SkillsUSA, 4-H, and serving in her church. Logan goes to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Sparta where she participates in Youth Group, volunteers at Junior Youth, and as Junior Deacon. Logan wants to continue her education after high school, most likely in the business and entrepreneurship programs. She enjoys running a small crafting business out of her house. Logan has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her high school career. She cannot wait to see what the business world has to offer in her future.

Noah Tepe is a Senior at Red Bud High School. Noah is a Co-CEO in the Randolph County startUp Program. He currently works for Roeslein Modular Fabrication in Red Bud, Illinois. Noah enjoys spending his time working on his truck, farming with his father, and working outside. He is the starting right tackle for the Red Bud Musketeers football team and helps lead the offensive line. After high school, Noah plans to attend SIUE to major in business and receive a minor in marketing while co-managing his own farm with his uncle. “I believe that the startUp program will give me new opportunities to learn about what it takes to develop yourself as a leader and owner of a business.”

​Allie Zipfel is a Senior at Red Bud High School. She is part of the Red Bud volleyball and softball teams. During the summer, she works at the Red Bud Community Pool as a lifeguard. Although she isn’t sure what her plans are after high school, she is thinking that SWIC is the best choice for her. In her free time, she enjoys reading and writing poems. She is the secretary for the Randolph County startUP program and chose to be a part of this program because she, like the others, “Wants to learn more about the business world and how to run a business properly.” Allie is excited about this class and can’t wait to see what lies ahead for her and her classmates!