Your Title: 2026 Success WLI Dinner

Success Comes to those who put in the effort.

**Success Comes to Those Who Put in the Effort**

**Mentorship**

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended our dinner gathering yesterday! It was truly delightful to reconnect and share an evening filled with engaging conversations and delectable dishes. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively, marking the spirit of collaboration and shared growth. Representative Friess expressed pride in the remarkable strides each of you has made, and we are excited to witness how your personal and professional journeys continue to unfold.

During the event, we celebrated the accomplishments of our mentees and mentors alike, each receiving a beautifully designed certificate of completion for their commitment to the program. Additionally, we were thrilled to present every mentee with a $500 scholarship, generously sponsored by our supportive local businesses. Your contributions and insights are invaluable to us, and we look forward to identifying new ways to strengthen our connections and foster collaboration in the days ahead.

**Attendees:**

(Front Row L to R): Addison Chaduet, Talia Carter, Liberti Johnson, Jeanne Fithian

(Back Row L to R): Jen Tepe, Rylie Myers, Kiersten Wegener, Rep David Friess, and Jennifer Gregson. (Not pictured) are Sarah Landeck and Jill Landgraf.

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All of our mentees and mentors received a certificate for completion of the program, and each mentee received a $500.00 scholarship. The funds were generously contributed by community businesses.

Continuing Collaboration

Typically, by this stage in the project, our teams would have completed their tasks and would be ready to transition to the next phase. However, this time, we are embarking on a unique initiative—forming another alliance that promises to bring fresh perspectives and collaborative efforts to the forefront.

Women's Leadership Summit

Rep. Friess to Host 2026 Women’s Leadership Summit

RED BUD, IL – State Representative David Friess (R-Red Bud) is proud to announce the 2026 Women’s Leadership Initiative Summit on June 24, 2026, at Southwestern Illinois College’s Red Bud Campus. This event will aim to bring together high school girls from across the region for a day focused on leadership, mentorship, and personal growth.

The Leadership Summit, open to incoming and current female students in grades 9-12, builds on the success of Rep. Friess’ Women’s Leadership Initiative. The program provides young women with meaningful opportunities to develop the skills and confidence needed to lead in their schools, careers, and communities.

“This summit is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of leaders,” Rep. Friess said. “When young women are given the tools, guidance, and encouragement to step into leadership roles, there’s no limit to what they can achieve. We want every participant to walk away believing in their ability to make an impact.” Participants will have the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of mentors, educators, and industry professionals who are eager to share their experiences and insights. The Summit will feature engaging keynote remarks from Dr. Andrea Frazier, interactive, hands-on workshops designed to build essential leadership skills, and collaborative group discussions that encourage idea exchange and personal growth.

Attendees will also have the chance to hear directly from mentors who have built successful careers and are eager to share their experiences, challenges, and advice. By creating an environment that encourages conversation and collaboration, the summit aims to give students a clearer vision of their future paths and the confidence to pursue them.

“I have no doubt this event will benefit young students across the 115th,” Friess added. “I encourage every young woman interested in growing as a leader to attend.”

The summit is free to attend, and lunch will be provided. Students are encouraged to register in advance, as space may be limited. QR codes are on the event flyer.