Empowering Students for Financial Success: Harrison County Schools and Truist Bank's Reality Check Program

In a proactive move to equip students with essential life skills, Harrison County Schools and Truist Bank have collaborated to host a reality check event at Liberty High School. This innovative program aims to provide students with a hands-on experience in personal finance, helping them navigate the complexities of budgeting, credit, and insurance – crucial elements for a successful financial future.

Unlocking the Path to Financial Literacy

Bridging the Gap Between Classroom and Real-World Finances

Harrison County Schools and Truist Bank have recognized the pressing need to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world financial management. By hosting this reality check event, they are providing students with a unique opportunity to simulate the financial decisions they will face as adults. Through this interactive simulation, students are assigned careers, incomes, and various financial responsibilities, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and considerations involved in managing personal finances.

Empowering Students to Make Informed Decisions

The reality check event covers a wide range of financial topics, including credit, insurance, and budgeting. By exposing students to these concepts in a hands-on setting, the program aims to equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed financial decisions in the future. Dr. Geraldine Beckett, the CTE Liaison Specialist at Harrison County Schools, emphasizes the importance of this initiative, stating, "Communities want their young people to learn about personal finance so they can improve the quality of their life. If they know what interest is, they know what insurance is, and the reason for it, and they understand more about these things, they're going to be more successful consumers, and have a better standard of living."

Preparing Students for Financial Independence

The reality check event is particularly timely, as recent state legislation in West Virginia now requires incoming freshmen to pass a personal financial course in order to graduate. By providing students with this practical experience, Harrison County Schools and Truist Bank are helping to ensure that students are well-prepared for the financial responsibilities they will face in the future. As 11th-graders Taylor Leon and Annika Shuman expressed, "I think it's important that high schoolers and kids really of our age learn how to manage financial stuff and your money, it will help you in the future. I didn't know a lot about my financial stuff before coming in here."

Fostering a Culture of Financial Responsibility

The reality check event is not just a one-time occurrence, but rather the second year it has been held in Harrison County. This ongoing commitment to financial education demonstrates the schools' and Truist Bank's dedication to cultivating a culture of financial responsibility among their students. By providing these hands-on learning opportunities, they are empowering the next generation to make informed financial decisions, ultimately leading to a more financially secure and prosperous future.