Seniors face financial reality at fair

Reality Fair returns to Demopolis High School Friday, Feb. 14, when seniors get a jolt of financial reality.

The fair is sponsored by Naheola Credit Union, Juli Lewis of the League of Southeastern Credit Unions and DHS teachers Kelly Gandy, Courtney Kerby and Connie Davis. This is the second year for students to learn some of the truths when it comes to money and living on their own.

The Reality Fair is an interactive financial literacy tool for high school students. It is a unique opportunity for students to experience some of the financial challenges they will face when they start life on their own.

In the hands-on experience, students pair up and are given a career profession and starting salaries. They complete a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing and food.

Additional expenditures, such as entertainment and travel, are factored in as well. Throughout the fair, there are many temptations for additional spending, and students must learn to balance their wants and needs to live on their own.

Each booth at the Reality Fair will be occupied by different business professionals and individuals of Demopolis.