Welcome To The Real World

Welcome To The Real World GFA Reality Fair teaches seniors financial sense

+ click to enlarge News staff photo by Andrew Mansfield Seniors Christoph Knoll, second from left, and David Belitsky, third from left, who are members of the GFA Student Advisory Board, talk about living costs with GFA Real Estate Sales Development Officer Edmond Perry. Andrew Mansfield Reporter GARDNER  Seniors from Gardner High School received a firsthand experience of how to crunch the numbers and make their budget work as an adult. GFA Federal Credit Union held its Reality Fair for students on Wednesday morning at the school’s gym. Representatives from the bank and local businesses gave them a tutorial on a future with financial responsibilities. “We go around and look at all the expenses of life and that’s why it’s called a Reality Fair,” said senior David Belitsky. Mount Wachusett Community College, Walmart, Heywood Hospital and Salvadore Auto Group were among the local outlets on hand to instruct students on the costs they will face paying monthly bills for student loans, cell phone plans, health insurance and transportation, among other costs. GFA Federal Credit Union President and CEO Tina Sbrega said the bank has been hosting the fair at the high school for many years. Several volunteers from different departments were on hand to guide students on how to approach financial decisions regarding cost of living, loans, paying taxes and saving for the future. Real Estate Sales Development Officer Edmond Perry hosted a table to guide students through the decision of where to live. “I’m showing them the difference between what it takes to own a house or rent an apartment, especially with utilities,” he said. “A lot of students end up realizing the value of money. It’s not uncommon for them to say, ‘I’m going home to thank my parents because I didn’t know how expensive it is to live,’” said Ms. Sbrega. The fair was also put on through the help of the GFA Student Advisory Board, which is comprised of 13 students from the high school. The group has monthly meetings and in the past has completed projects such as creating a debit card program for high school students. Mr. Belitsky and senior Christoph Knoll are members of the board who helped coordinate the fair and participated in it. “I chose to join because it gave me a better understanding of every financial question that’s ever come to my mind,” said Mr. Knoll. “They’re a really great bunch of individuals and bright kids,” said Ms. Sbrega. Before visiting different tables with GFA or business representatives to go through the expenses they will face, students chose a career path they would like to take. Mr. Belitsky was an FBI agent for the fair. He’s currently looking to apply to Boston area schools to pursue a criminal justice degree. His family has a rich history in serving in the military and intelligence fields, and he wants to work for Homeland Security. “That’s my life goal. I have government (service) in my blood,” he said. Mr. Knoll chose sports retail as his job for the fair, which aligns with his career goals as well. “I’ll probably go into golf retail. I have a vast knowledge of all the equipment,” he said. After determining how to balance a budget with expenses such as food, rent, taxes, transportation and student loans, each senior participant took a turn with the twist of fate by spinning a wheel of fortune focused on career possibilities. The wheel was incorporated into the fair as a way to replicate the unpredictability of life. It could land on a number of different options, either positive or negative. For Mr. Knoll, the result was less than ideal: he lost his job in sports retail. “I have to go back and re-do this because I can’t afford half the stuff now,” he said. The Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce also helped organize the event by connecting volunteers from the business community with the students. “They are actually going to utilize these services and it’s an opportunity for them to interface (with businesses). The future of the community is going to be with the kids coming through the school; there’s a lot of potential here,” said Chamber President and CEO Jim Bellina. A total of 118 seniors attended the event. Principal Mark Pellegrino said the fair was a way to include financial literacy into the senior curriculum. Students took a test on their financial knowledge before and after the fair. “We’ll see where the misconceptions still are (after looking at the test results). This is a way for them to get a feel for what life is actually like, to give them a much clearer understanding. It’s a real eye-opener for a lot of the kids,” he said.