2024-2025 Team

Lucy Moore

Lucy Moore is a Senior at Columbia High School. She is on the Varsity Squad for Columbia Eagles Cheer and has been involved in competitive cheer and dance since childhood. Lucy is a certified lifeguard and works for the Columbia Bath and Tennis during the summers. She also gives private swim lessons for children in the community. Lucy has a passion for serving others and plans to enlist in the United States Coast Guard after graduation. After her time in the military, she would like to return to Columbia and pursue a career as an entrepreneur. She is very excited to have been given this amazing opportunity through the startUP Program!

Erica Crook

​Erica Crook is a senior at Waterloo High School. She remains very active with school organizations.  Erica is on the Orange Crush advisory board and a student-leader with Best Buddies. She has also been a member of the Speech Team for the entirety of her high school career, serving as a captain for 2 years. When she's not at school, Erica is a Pharmacy Technician at Walgreens in Waterloo, IL. Erica has always had an entrepreneur mindset, as she has always had a goal to start her own business. After high school, Erica is pursuing her interest in Criminal Law, with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. She is passionate about mental health, domestic violence, and restorative justice. For Erica, she believes that startUP will give her the necessary connections and qualities needed to jumpstart her professional career.

Grant Reuss

​​Grant Reuss is a senior at Columbia High School, where he participates in basketball and serves as a member of the Student Council, holding the position of Public Relations officer on the Executive Board. He is also the Vice President of Best Buddies. Outside of school, Grant works at Target and has a mini internship at Crafted in the Loo, learning about business. After graduating, he plans to attend a four-year university to pursue teaching. Additionally, Grant owns his own business, the Savage Grant Swag Store, specializing in custom clothing and merchandise. He is eager to expand his business knowledge and can’t wait to expand into the business world!

Ali Teutrine

​​Ali Teutrine is a senior at Columbia high school. Ali has played golf for all 4 of her years in high school. Ali has also been an active member of the Columbia FFA for the past 4 years and her senior year she has become a FFA officer. She works at Jimmy John's. Her plans after high school are to attend Maryville University for nursing. Being a part of Monroe county startUP is a wonderful opportunity to meet and make new connections that can be very useful in the future. Ali is thinking of taking her love for baking and starting a business where she gets to share her baked goods with others.

Kenzie Slusser

Kenzie Slusser is a Senior at Columbia High School. She works at a local business in Waterloo. When she is not at school Kenzie enjoys spending time with friends and family, watching the sunset, and shopping. Regarding her future career, Kenzie is interested in forensic anthropology and business management. While in startUp, she hopes to begin an acrylic nails business. She is excited to grow connections, learn about, and create a business.

Grace Klein

Grace Klein is a senior at Columbia High School. She is on the Varsity Golf team and is a part of NHS, student council, and FCA. She works at Oh Sugar Ice and Cream and also tutors younger students in her free time. After high school, Grace plans to attend Kansas University and study architecture and design through the Masters of Architecture program. Being a part of Monroe County startUP has improved Grace's communication and leadership skills that will be useful in her future career. Some of her hobbies are scrapbooking, drawing, and painting.  Although she isn't certain what business she would like to create, she wants to start a business using her creativity and love for art. ​

Kynsie Dix

Kynsie Dix is a senior at Columbia High School. She has been an active member in FCA for the entirety of her high school career. When she is not in school, Kynsie is at church, working at Renew, hanging out with friends and family, or doing one of her many hobbies. Kynsie has a strong desire to be innovative. She often finds accomplishment in standing out and making things her own. Although Kynsie is unsure about her own business, She would love to tie in her ability to sew. Since joining the startUP program, Kynsie has seen what makes a successful business and the importance of relationships in those businesses. She is looking forward to the challenges and rewards that this class will bring.

Sophia Roderick

Sophia Roderick is a Senior at Columbia High School. She is part of the Columbia High School girls golf team and is also part of National Honors Society. She is currently employed at Joe's Pizza in Columbia. In her free time, Sophia enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, and going to the gym. After High School, Sophia is planning on attending a four year university to study diagnostic sonography or pharmacy, but is currently undecided. During startUP this year, Sophia is thinking about starting a sugar scrub or candle company. She is very excited for the opportunities she will receive throughout the year and what connections she will make. Overall, Sophia is very excited to see where the class will take her.

Grace Yearian

​​Grace Yearian is a Junior at Columbia High School. She is a part of the Varsity Golf Team at her school. Grace is currently employed at Twisted Tree and babysits weekly. In her free time she loves to spend time with family and friends. After high school Grace plans on attending a 4 year college to become an esthetics nurse. During this year of starUp, Grace hopes to start a service of doing lash and brow lift and tints. Grace is looking forward to touring more business in the local area to help with ideas and how to manage a business. She is very excited to have this opportunity to be in this amazing program!

Ellie Schrubb

Ellie Schrubb is a senior at Columbia High School. She has participated in Student Council, NHS, golf, part-time jobs, and club volleyball throughout her high school career. Currently, Ellie is employed at Vida Verde and babysits occasionally. After high school, she plans to attend a university to earn a master's in business administration and a minor in nutrition. Additionally, she intends to obtain her real estate license to own a brokerage one day. The most exciting part about startUP to her is the hands-on experience that she accumulates while working with her team and creating real businesses.

Shelby Thurm

Shelby Thurm is a senior at Waterloo High School. Her journey with StartUP is driven by a desire to deepen her understanding of the business world and to overcome personal challenges. With dreams of owning multiple businesses, Shelby relishes the independence that comes with entrepreneurship. Shelby views startUP as a chance to not be overlooked!

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