McDowell students take steps for personal financial independence

McDowell students ask questions to Wade Brink, CFO of Tendto Financial Credit Union, during their class pizza party reward for completing tasks as part of the Passport to Financial Independence program.

Students at McDowell High School had the opportunity to earn prizes by taking steps toward their own financial independence. As an optional activity, students in McDowell’s financial literacy class could complete up to 40 different tasks that helped foster financial independence and stability. These tasks were part of the Passport to Financial Independence program, sponsored by Tendto Credit Union. Tasks included creating an emergency fund, researching how 401(k) accounts work, estimating how much they will need to retire, identifying needs vs. wants, researching career paths they’re interested in and average salaries, and many more. Between the two current financial literacy classes, students completed more than 235 tasks.

“This program encourages students to do financial literacy, not just learn about it,” said Carey Barzeski, financial literacy teacher at McDowell High School. “It’s inspiring to see their hard work pay off with both practical skills and some well-earned rewards.”

Rewards for reaching benchmarks included school spirit wear, school athletic season passes, gift cards and a class pizza party. During the class pizza party, Tendto Credit Union’s CFO Wade Brink visited with students to give a presentation on preventing fraud and scams that are targeted at teenagers. Students were able to ask questions about the presentation, the Passport to Financial Literacy program or share their thoughts on it, and more.