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DHS juniors get lesson in reality

Alabama Cooperative Extension program helps students deal with real world

By Natalie Nettles (Contact) | Dadeville Record

Published Wednesday, March 10, 2010

The juniors at Dadeville High School were in for a reality check Wednesday.

The 11th graders participated in Reality Check, a program developed by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to teach high school students how to manage money.

Cheryl Bynum, lead counselor of Dadeville High School, said each student was given a simulated college level, family status, occupation and monthly salary.

“It simulates them as a 25-year-old in the real world,” Bynum said. “They have to figure out how to manage their money and pay their bills.”

With their simulated life information in hand, the students visited various stations, including utilities, rent, insurance, buying groceries and childcare services.

Members of the men’s group at the First United Methodist Church joined other members of the community in volunteering to man the various stations.

Isaac Chappell, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System agent, said Reality Check is a hands-on program.

“It’s something they don’t really learn in the classroom, but when they see it like this they actually learn,” Chappell said.

Chappell said the program was developed about five years ago and is the most popular youth program the extension system has.

Volunteer Jim Yerkey, who worked in the bursar office at Auburn University for a number of years, said he thinks it is important for students to learn money management skills before they go to college.

“This is a great program,” Yerkey said. “It’s a real eye-opener to most of them.”

Volunteer Bill Brown noticed the students were being very frugal with their simulated money, which he noted was probably a reflection of the current economy.

Junior Martecia Rogers said she learned a lot from the program.

“It’s a good program and it’s helping me out,” Rogers said. “I want to do it again next year.”

“I understand what my parents are talking about now,” Junior Michael Goodman added.

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