FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.–Eglin FCU said it has partnered with the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation to bring a financial education experience called Reality Check to Okaloosa County for the first time. Approximately 60 high school students from the 9th to 12th grades participated in lessons facilitated by EFCU Financial Education Specialist Courtney Dollson at Laurel Hill School, with the final Reality Check simulation at the Crestview Community Center. The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation provided breakfast and lunch through a grant for the students the day of the simulation.
“In the classroom, Laurel Hill students learned about budgeting, expenses after graduation, and credit in preparation for the Reality Check simulation,” said Dollson. “Eglin Federal Credit Union is committed to the communities we serve by providing free financial education. We hope to continue this event annually and see even more growth in the coming years.”
At the Reality Check simulation students randomly received various occupations, salaries and credit scores. They toured booths staffed by community partners and volunteers to make purchases from insurance agencies, mortgage lending, auto lending, finance, retail, communications and more. Several products and services were offered such as a home, car or insurance translating into various monthly payments with credit scores considered. Students budgeted their expenses and calculated their remaining income at the end of the activity.
“What I learned today is that parents really do have it rough around here,” said student Amy Senterfitt. “It really opened up my eyes because I didn't realize how much stuff actually costs even though it might be low in price, it adds up at the end. Today I really learned how to budget my money and how the real world is actually going to be. Courtney visited our school and got us ready for this event a couple of weeks ago. She really helped us prepare for what the future is going to be like, but I didn't realize how hard it was actually going to be.”
Volunteers at the event included representatives from Auburn Water Systems, Career Source Okaloosa Walton, CCB Community Bank, CHELCO, Clayton Homes, David A. Herf, MD, Eglin Federal Credit Union, Emerald Coast Science Center, Farm Bureau Insurance, Florida Farm Bureau, JRL Conyers Lodge, Moors & Cabot, Okaloosa County School District, Okaloosa Gas, Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation, Okaloosa Tax Collectors Office, Realty ONE Group, Sandy Sansing Milton Chevrolet, ServisFirst Bank, Tiffany Woodham State Farm, and Wanda g. Roberts Realty LLC. A grant by Wells Fargo funded the event.