Yearly school program teaches kids lessons on life ahead

By JOHN HOWARD

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE-John L. Ory eighth grade students were dressed for success as they were introduced to the &#8220real world” on Thursday.

The school held an event called &#8220Welcome to the Real World” sponsored by St. John Parish 4-H and the LSU Agriculture Center. The program is designed to show students the importance of career and money management. Parents and business people of the community volunteered to act as bankers, realtors, car salesmen, insurance salesmen and grocery and clothing store sales personnel.

Each student was given a packet with an occupation and monthly income listed on the front. The packet contained blank checks and deposit slips.

First the students went to the bank area where they deposited their payroll checks. They had to decide how much money to put into their savings account and how much they wanted to put into their checking account.

Then the students went to the housing section where they decided if they wanted to rent an apartment or start making payments on a house. They were offered several housing options and were asked to make their decision based on their income and ability to keep up with the payments.

At the transportation table, students were given a wide selection of automobiles from expensive sports cars to reasonably priced sedans.

They also were asked to select an insurance plan for their car, house and life. They also paid utilities, groceries and entertainment expenses.

At the final table, the students were asked to draw a &#8220chance card.” The &#8220chance card” was similar to one of those real life surprises such as an unexpected emergency room visit, a car wreck, a winning lottery ticket, a parking ticket, etc.

Eighth grader and &#8220real world” engineer Austin Terry enjoyed the program and said that he learned a lot about the &#8220real world” and money management.

&#8220It felt good to learn what I would do in the real world, but I didn’t like the fact that I went poor,” said Terry. &#8220It’s been a very fun experience and I loved it.”

St. John Parish 4-H Agent Melanie Burl explained how important it is for the students to learn how the real world works and how important career and money management is.

&#8220What this program does is, basically, open their eyes and give them an idea of how important it is to consider a career,” said Burl. &#8220Some kids have trouble making that connection between life and what they’re doing in school right now.”

All public schools in St. John Parish, as well as Our Lady of Grace and Riverside Academy participate in the &#8220Welcome to the Real World” program, which has been going on for six years.