Concord-Carlisle High School students moved from booth to booth evaluating financial choices and tracking their progress at the inaugural Credit for Life Fair. (Photo Courtesy Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)
CONCORD — Concord-Carlisle High School recently hosted its first Credit for Life Fair, providing approximately 300 students with an opportunity to explore financial decision-making and budgeting skills.
The event, organized by CCHS English teacher Melea Ray, challenged students to navigate the financial realities of adulthood through an interactive simulation developed by Credit for Life, a program operated by the Student Financial Education Initiative Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting financial literacy education.
Students used their phones and laptops to access the Credit for Life platform, where each participant was assigned a career, annual salary, monthly income, checking and savings account balances, credit score and credit card. Students then visited a series of stations staffed by community volunteers, making financial decisions related to housing, transportation, food, education, insurance, health and wellness, charitable giving, future planning and other common expenses.
The fair was conducted in two sessions, with approximately 150 students participating in each hour-long segment.
“The goal was to give students a realistic look at the financial decisions they will face as adults and help them understand how those decisions affect their ability to live within a budget,” said Ray. “At the same time, the event created opportunities for students to engage with community members and professionals who shared their experiences, insights and advice.”
Throughout the simulation, students moved from booth to booth evaluating financial choices and tracking their progress. The experience encouraged students to consider how decisions regarding housing, transportation, education, lifestyle expenses and savings can impact their overall financial well-being.
Community volunteers represented a wide range of industries and organizations, including business, education, health care, nonprofit services, retail and human resources.
Participating organizations and volunteers included Open Table, Acton Ford, Keller Williams Realty, AT&T, the Beede Center, PetSmart and numerous local professionals who volunteered their time and expertise to support students.
“The volunteers were essential to the success of the fair,” said Ray. “Their willingness to share their knowledge and experiences helped students make valuable connections between what they learn in school and the decisions they will face in their future careers and personal lives.”
“Financial literacy is one of the most important life skills our students can develop before graduating,” said Superintendent Dr. Laurie Hunter. “The Credit for Life Fair gave our students an opportunity to learn directly from community members and professionals while applying critical thinking skills. We are thankful to Melea Ray for organizing this wonderful event and helping create a meaningful experience for Concord-Carlisle High School students.”
###
Concord-Carlisle High School’s Credit for Life Fair challenged students to navigate the financial realities of adulthood through an interactive simulation. (Photo Courtesy Concord-Carlisle Regional School District)