Grade 8 students at Drumheller Valley Secondary School were given a head start into the world of finances on Monday, April 22, thanks to volunteers with Junior Achievement.
Four volunteers from the community took some time out of their day to help teach the students the financial tools they will need as adults.
“I recruit volunteers from the local business community to teach kids about saving, investing, budgeting, and all sorts of things they will need to know,” said Vicki Hardy, regional coordinator east-central region with Junior Achievement.
Students participated in the Dollars and Sense program, which teaches them how to make wise choices with their hard earned cash.
“It’s about what kind of spender and saver are you, and how we can tweak that a little bit so you are more money-wise in the end,” said Hardy.
Troy Elzner (center), with ATB Financial, helps Hayden Niccol (left) and Noah Miles work through the Dollars and Sense program facilitated by Junior Achievement. Elzner and several other volunteers took some time on Monday, April 22, to teach Grade 8 students financial literacy, budgeting, saving, investing, and other important financial lessons.
DVSS typically asks Junior Achievement to present their program once every year to help supplement what students learn in Career and Life Management (CALM) and Health classes.
“It’s all about financial literacy, financial management skills, and the possibility of becoming an entrepreneur,” said Brad Teske, associate principal. “They still get it in CALM and a little bit in Health class. With this, these are professionals in the community, so we feel it makes a little bit more of an impact on the students.”
For the volunteers, it is a chance to connect with students.
““We’re talking about budgeting, saving, and needs versus wants,” said Troy Elzner, with ATB Financial, who is helping teach for the first time. “We always try to do stuff for the community. We were approached and thought it’d be great to come and give our support. It’s good to give back.”
Students were glad to have the change of pace and learn some valuable lessons.
“It’s going to help us in the future, because life is all about money now and the key to success,” said Noah Miles, a Grade 8 student. “It’s pretty cool.”
