The Official Newspaper for Foster County
The Official Newspaper for Foster County
Front row (L to R): Abby Dreher, Kaylee Johnson, Mackenzie Miller, Andie Anderson, Lauryn Halvorson. Back row: Carter Spitzer, Wyatt Spickler, Ty Kulsrud, Brady Anderson.
High School students recently attended this area's second annual Reality Check.
This event gave sophomores, juniors and seniors at Dakota Prairie, Lakota, Midkota, and Griggs County the opportunity to see what life (financially) may be like as an adult in a reality-based event.
This event, sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank of N.D., State Bank of Lakota, and the Nelson County Job Development Authority was held at the Tolna Business and Events Center on February 1, 2023.
Reality Check is an interactive financial decision-making event that illustrates basic personal financial management skills. During this valuable learning event, the students were given the opportunity to simulate the types of financial decisions they will be making as adults, but without the risk of facing real financial repercussions.
When asked, "What is the best information about managing money that you learned today?" One student's reply was, "Spend more on debt now to spend less later." Another student added, "The information regarding student loans was awesome!"
When asked, "How has this event changed the way you will save or spend money in the future?" The reply from one student was, "I am keeping my high school car." Another student replied, "It has encouraged me to start saving more so I have more money to spend later."
When asked what they enjoyed most about the event, some of the responses from the volunteers were:
"Seeing the kids shocked with the reality of the cost of real life expenses and worried about not having enough funds."
"Seeing the kids actually think before they make decisions."
"I really think having kids have an opportunity to visit with adults they don't know is good!"
Organizers intend Reality Check to be an annual event for local schools, helping students make good decisions while
they are attending high school, college, and beyond.
If your school is interested in participating in Reality Check during the 2023-2024 school year, please contact Lisa Haines at 701-262-4211.
