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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Local high school students sat in the investing break out session run by Edward Jones Financial Advisor Ken English Feb. 19.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.After students complete the expereince day budgeting exercise they spun a wheel to determine the random life event that will happen to them, affecting the budget Feb. 19 at the Financial Starting Point event.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Students examine the charitable giving portion of the experience day budgeting exercise Feb. 19 hosted at Youngstown State University.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Austintown students Jacob Smail and Andrew Lescsak attended the ASECU and Junior Achievement's Financial Starting Point event Feb. 19.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Edward Jones Financial Advisor Ken Jones lead the break out session about investing Feb. 19 at the Financial Starting Point event hosted by the ASECU and Junior Achievement.
By JESSICA HARKER
Austintown Fitch High School students traveled to Youngstown State University for the 11th annual Financial Starting Point event on Feb. 19.
The Associated School Employees Credit Union and the Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley partnered to host the event.
“Credit unions have always had an interest in teaching financial literacy at our schools,” said ASECU President Michael Kurish. “Through collaboration with JA we have access to many more schools than previously.”
Austintown Fitch teacher Jill Martin escorted more than 100 students from Fitch.
“I teach all of these things,” Martin said. “So this gives them some hands on experience plus they get to interface with some local business people and I think that’s really important.”
Eleven schools attended the event, including Fitch, bringing more than 400 high school juniors and seniors to YSU’s campus.
Michele Merkel, the president of JA, said the event was created more than a decade ago because of a need for financial literacy in local schools.
Kurish said that the credit union approached JA to help bridge this gap.
“It’s important because soon these students are going to be put into our community,” Kurish said. “While they are in the schools they are certainly learning all the basics but life skills are sometimes not as stressed as much.”
Today, the event is takes place during five hours with three break off sessions for students to attend, along with a reality day scenario.
Merkel said each student attends three 45 minute sessions covering credit, investing and life skills and budgeting.
Local volunteers and financial experts teach each session.
“Our programs are delivered by volunteers in the community,” Merkel said. “We rely on them and their support.”
The reality day portion is what originally made up the entirety of the event, according to Merkel.
She said the students are broken up into groups, and given a budget based on a certain career path and education level.
Students then walk to different tables, examining budgeting costs and breaking down how to best spend their given income.
“Understanding what you’re making monthly when you get a job is very important,” Merkel said. “We have some tough scenarios.”
Martin said the event helps students find a fuller understanding of class room lessons.
“You have to allocate a certain amount of money, which brings in all the stuff we talked about in class,” Martin said. “It’s a good culminating activity for credit, investing and budgeting.”
Keynote speaker Judge Molly Johnson spoke at the event, along with Betty Jo Licata, Dean of the YSU College of Business Administration.
“These things are so important for the kids future,” Martin said. “Learning about how to get a credit card, how to manage your money, how to avoid debt, the significance if you file bankruptcy - these are all key.”