McKeesport Area students learn about ‘financial reality’

High school juniors have to create budgets and manage real-life scenarios.

By SANDY SABOT For the McKeesport Area School District

McKeesport Area High School juniors recently participated in a “Financial Reality Fair” to turn their dreams and goals into a realworld learning experience many adults never had.

The event is part of a program with Clearview Federal Credit Union, which takes a hands-on approach to financial education by partnering with teachers to help students learn how to manage their money through budgeting, planning, saving, credit and other financial topics during classroom sessions.

Then, to apply the knowledge, the Financial Reality Fair is held.

Stephany Rush, the financial wellness program manager, oversees the school programs at Clearview.

At McKeesport Area High School, she worked with district Transition Coordinator Jen Knight at the high school to make sure the students were ready for the various booths and activities at the fair. Knight works with students with Individual Education Plans, helping them prepare for their transition after graduation.

Katy Davis teaches juniors a requirement for graduation titled “Essential Career Skills.” All of their students, and other students, totaling about 200 juniors, participated in the fair.

Rush said she was excited to show the students how to look at their goals and to budget so they can work to attain them.

“Most are truly amazed at what everything costs when they need to pay for it themselves. The sessions on budgeting are a real eye-opener for those who are used to having their parents pay for everything,” Rush said.

The fair featured booths on housing, transportation, groceries, clothing, entertainment, etc. Each student used a Chromebook to see how they could make it on their own or with a roommate. Each student had a preloaded budget form with what they would be earning monthly from their career choice. From there, Clearview Federal Credit Union staff from McKeesport’s branch and other area offices helped guide the students in their choices.

Clearview’s Chief Information Officer Ray George asked the students, “Do you really want to spend almost $1,000 a month on going out to eat every day in the month? Then maybe you’ll have to get a part-time job in addition to your full-time job just to meet your expenses.”

For most, the options presented were reviewed again, and some would cook at home and go out to eat once in a while. Others planned on going back to their parents to eat.

“But is that really something you would do every day?” asked George. “Think about how your schedule would be — is that realistic?”

For most, it wasn’t. One of the favorite booths was the “Wheel of Reality.” Each student could spin it and land on something that could happen in everyday life. Some examples included getting a speeding ticket for $85; receiving an invitation to a wedding and having to buy a $50 gift; winning a cash prize of $150; or having a cell phone break and needing to buy a new one without insurance. Students had to decide what mattered most to them and adjust their budgets accordingly based on the situation.

Clearview’s Chief Experience Office Janet Preteroti worked the wheel for the morning and enjoyed seeing everyone’s reactions.

Clearview’s Chief Executive Officer Lisa Florian enjoyed working various booths and advising the students. In the afternoon, she worked on the part-time job booth and many students came over for advice on what to do since their full-time starting pay wouldn’t be able to support their lifestyle. Florian, like the students, explained that to get through college she worked in the restaurant business and received tips to help her pay her expenses. Several students seemed surprised, but it helped them to see that no one really goes into the workforce at the top.

Clearview Federal Credit Union is one of the partners with WPXI 11 Cares. Duquesne Light also participated by sending volunteers, and other partners supported the event by providing items for the students.

Clearview staff and fair volunteers were treated to a choice of several lunches in the district’s Tiger Inn, which is run by the culinary department of the Career Technology Education center. It will be open soon for the public.

“We’ll be back to do it again next year. We love working with McKeesport Area School District,” Rush said. “In fact, we had a few alumni from our staff who came to volunteer today. It is a great community experience for all.”

Knight agreed, saying, “This hands-on experience is a valuable way to convey so much information that makes an impact with the students. We look forward to doing it again next year.”