RALEIGH, N.C. – Over the last 43 years, North Carolina governors have welcomed thousands of high school students to the Governor’s Page Program to inspire the next generation of leaders to get involved in public service. Six high school students participating in the Program recently spent time with State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) staff in Raleigh, learning about basic financial concepts and tips for managing money. The financial presentation was part of a week-long schedule of activities designed for juniors and seniors in the Page Program. During the presentation, SECU representatives encouraged students to think about their financial future and discussed actions they can implement to help achieve their goals. This is the Credit Union’s second year of hosting education sessions for Governor’s Pages.
“The high school students come to Raleigh to learn more about government, politics and the history of North Carolina but are also given the opportunity to expand their financial education by meeting with local SECU representatives,” noted Diane McClary, Special Assistant and Page Coordinator, Office of Governor Pat McCrory. “Many students have benefited from hearing about topics such as credit card usage, credit scores, saving for college and retirement. We are thankful for the opportunity to partner with State Employees’ Credit Union, providing education to the future leaders of North Carolina.”
Jimmy Goodrum, Senior Vice President of SECU’s Member Education and Outreach department, commented, “We are happy to have a role in helping shape tomorrow’s leaders by teaching the students concepts they need to make wise financial decisions in the future.”
The Governor’s Page Program is one of many youth education initiatives State Employees’ Credit Union supports to promote the development of healthy financial habits. SECU reaches thousands of students annually through partnerships with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction and the N.C. Business Committee for Education in support of Students@Work Week, emphasizing career options, job shadowing, and “Real World” financial simulation exercises. Credit Union staff also conduct financial workshops and serve as judges for North Carolina’s Future Business Leaders of America and the Distributive Education Clubs of America, in addition to holding an annual Youth Saving Challenge in conjunction with Financial Literacy Month in April.