MCCU Co-Hosts Financial Reality Fair at Marshall High School

Marshall Community Credit Union (MCCU) and the Battle Creek Area Association of REALTORS® (BCAAR) recently partnered to organize a Financial Reality Fair at Marshall High School (MHS), with support from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation.

A Financial Reality Fair is a hands-on simulation designed to provide students with practical experience in managing a budget and making real-world financial decisions. The event, led by MCCU’s Financial Education Specialist Laura Van Dyke, CCUFC, and BCAAR CEO Amanda Lankerd, engaged twenty-eight students at MHS.

“A financial reality fair is where the rubber meets the road for these students. It is a chance for them to practice all the great things they are learning in the classroom setting, such as paying themselves first and how a credit score influences the cost of a loan,” said Van Dyke.

The event took place in the MHS cafeteria on Dec. 20, 2023, for students in Personal Finance, a class taught by MHS Teacher Kyle Young.

“Through this experience, students were able to see how their financial choices would affect them. I truly believe this one experience will empower them to make better financial decisions in years to come,” said Young.

Students enjoyed working with representatives from diverse backgrounds. In addition to MCCU and BCCAR, volunteers from the Calhoun County Land Bank Authority, eXp Realty, Honor Credit Union, Michigan Credit Union League, MSU Extension, RE/MAX Perrett Associates and Sturgis Bank & Trust provided insight into the consequences of the students’ financial decisions.

BCAAR CEO Amanda Lankerd highlighted the importance of equipping young people with financial knowledge, stating, “It is extremely important that our young people have the financial knowledge to make responsible and informed decisions regarding their money. Working with community partners to host financial reality fairs is our commitment to shaping a financially savvy community, where young people realize that smart money decisions can pave the way to homeownership and a secure future.”

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