Sophia Ballard

May 2017

Sophia Ballard

About Me

Sophia Ballard attends Effingham High School. At school, she is involved in the Pom dance team. In her free time, she participates on Exclusively Dance’s competitive dance team that travels around the midwest. Sophia has been a Girl Scout for 13 years. She has earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Her Gold Award project was a Business Tree Bookshelf which was made for the Effingham Public Library. She was chosen as a sophomore by Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois to be a National Delegate at the National Girl Scout Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is currently employed at Richard E. Workman Sports Complex in Effingham as a recreation attendant. She is also involved at Centenary United Methodist Church where she participates in mission trips and church camps during the summer. When she is not busy, she enjoys traveling with her family.

“I plan on making every second count of CEO, since this year will move quickly. I hope that I gain skills that I can carry with me for the rest of my life.”

About My Business

Sophia Ballard is the owner of Cost at Hand. Cost at Hand is an app developed to help consumers’ shopping experience. While using the app, customers put in the prices of their grocery items. When the person is done shopping, the amount, including sales tax, calculated by the app will let them know their total before they check out. Cost at Hand can benefit any consumer, especially the busy parent or a person who has a disability that would like more independence. For more information, contact Sophia at costathand@gmail.com. After graduating in May, Sophia plans on attending Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville. She is majoring in applied communication studies, with a minor in political science with the plans on continuing with law school.

My Featured Journal Entries

"One of my favorite quotes that Tina Brumleve said was, “Bad things will happen to all of us, it's how you handle them. Accept the situation and learn from it.” I know personally, I need to apply this to my life. I am the type of person that will sometimes stress when something bad happens. I need to remember to accept the situation and just make it the best way possible."

02/22/2017

"I was extremely thankful to be apart of the CEO class. I would never had the chance to meet such a powerful women. Jane Gannaway has so many experiences, and it is all because of having the chance to network. She is a visual reminder of how far networking can get you. Also she is a great example of a powerful and successful women in the workforce. As she said, “Do not let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do.”  Jennifer Vahling reminded us that to have new experiences we need to get out of our comfort zone. She reminded us to stretch ourselves like a rubber band, being out of the comfort zone this will help you reach goals."

12/06/2016

"I was amazed with the Wiedman's Cleaners tour!  I have had items dry cleaned there before but never thought about how they clean the items. You can tell they will go the extra mile for their customers."

11/01/2016