On Friday, March 22nd, members of Norwin High School’s FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Club who competed in the Regional Leadership Conference event program attended the annual Financial Reality Fair at the middle school. Every year, the FBLA club, led by Mr. Aftanas, attends the Financial Reality Fair to spread further information about the business program at the high school for current 8th graders.
Several high school FBLA members left the school after being signed in to their first period classes and arrived at the Middle School to help Mrs. Lichen, Norwin Teachers Federal Credit Union CEO, set up all of the kiosk stations for the event. After setting up all of the different tables and stations, the high school students each sat at a different table to accommodate the middle school students for financial difficulties that may arise in the future.
Over the course of the morning — from 7:30am to 12:00 — the high school students who attended the outreach program received community service hours for their efforts in organizing several different stations for the 8th graders to practice effective financing in the future. There were many stations set up in the Middle School Gymnasium to accommodate several students to financing practices and how to save money while still living well, including furniture, housing, transportation, food, clothing, and internet access.
“I thought the entire event was very well-run, and it was so fun to see the 8th graders that will be coming up to the high school next year,” junior Emma Reese said. “For the 8th graders, I think it was important for them to realize that they will have financial obligations to budget for in their future, and makes them reflect on the spending that their parents take care of now.”
Other stations like pets, hair care, entertainment, and gym memberships, were optional for the 8th graders to go to because they were seen as leisure activities, while the other stations were mandatory. However many middle school students still chose to spend a majority of their money on leisure activities, contributing to a limited amount of money at the end of the event.
“My friend and I simply ran the Entertainment stand,” freshman Carter Kunicky said, “we offered three options with each increasing in price and access to other forms of entertainment. We simply gave the breakdown to the students, and they made their decisions. I think it’s important because it really helps the 8th graders start thinking about their future financially and to expose them to the realities of the world.”
Finally, many 8th graders ran to the Wheel of Reality at the end of their time spent at each of the stations, to randomly select a profit or deduction from their final spendings. At the end of the event, the Wheel of Reality attracted many 8th graders and contributed to large line of middle school students, eager to spin for their financial fates.
With around two high school FBLA members working each station, the reality fair went by very quickly and easily. At around 10:30am the FBLA members cleaned up all of the stations and got ready to enjoy food shortly after. Soon, members of the club and volunteers got the chance to eat pizza provided to them by the Norwin Teachers Federal Credit Union.
“The Reality Fair will always be relevant for high schoolers, since we will all be entering the workforce and real world very soon,” Reese said.
