South West Illinois News

State Representative David Friess and his team recently held a successful dinner to celebrate the achievements of the Women's Leadership Initiative (WLI) program. The dinner took place at the 1860 Public House in Red Bud and was attended by Rep. Friess, his staff, mentors, mentees, and representatives from local companies who have supported the program.

During the evening, the team had the opportunity to network and get to know each other better. A delicious dinner was served, and the focus of the evening was on recognizing the accomplishments of the mentees. Certificates of Completion and $500 scholarships were awarded to each mentee in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

One mentee, Alexandria McFadden, shared exciting news that she has been accepted to SLU (Saint Louis University). Another mentee, Mabry Wingerter, announced that she has signed to play Volleyball at Westminster. Emma Carpenter has decided to pursue cosmetology school at John A Logan, while Cosette (Coco) Woods expressed her interest in the commercial side of real estate.

In addition to celebrating individual achievements, the team also made an important decision to extend the duration of the program from four months to a whole year. This extension will allow for more comprehensive support and guidance for the mentees. Rep. Friess emphasized the importance of the program, stating, "There is so much more that can be done by extending the time frame."

The mentees shared their experiences of networking, encouragement, and the invaluable knowledge they have gained from their mentors. They expressed their gratitude for the guidance they have received and their eagerness to share their experiences with other students who may be interested in joining the program.

As part of the program, each mentee created S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measured, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals to help them articulate their education and career paths. The team plans to follow up with the mentees six months after they have completed their goal sheet to assess their progress. Rep. Friess emphasized the program's commitment to staying in touch with all participants, saying, "Once a WLI team member, always a WLI team member." The goal is to provide ongoing support and guidance throughout their careers and eventually bring some of them back to encourage and educate others.

The success of the WLI program would not have been possible without the support of local companies. Rep. Friess expressed his gratitude to the following companies for their generous support:

- Red Bud Industries

- Gilster Mary Lee

- Red Bud Regional Hospital

- Buena Vista National Bank

- Nevois Construction

- Property Peddlers

- Gateway FS

- Complete Technology Solutions

- NAPA Auto Tire and Parts

- IGA

Looking ahead, Rep. Friess and his team are excited to continue working with the community to provide even more opportunities for the success of the mentees. The WLI program is committed to empowering women and helping them achieve their goals in education and career advancement.