Vaishali Patel
The Union-Recorder
MILLEDGEVILLE —
More than 370 Baldwin High School juniors were given various fictional circumstances Thursday to learn how to financially prioritize life’s necessities and how certain choices can affect their futures during the Milledgeville-Baldwin County Chamber of Commerce’s sixth annual Reality Check.
The program randomly assigned each student with an educational level, career, spouse and children and were then set off to budget their monthly income as they made their way to different stations to purchase adult life realities such as housing, utilities, insurance, credit cards, bank accounts, child care, groceries, cars and clothing, got second jobs if needed and went back to school to increase their income levels. Some were high school dropouts while others had a full college education.
“We want to show them the relationship between education and real life potential,” local Chamber of Commerce President Tara Peters said. “I can’t stress how important it is to stay in school. I really believe this program has been successful.”
Before starting the “Real Life Experience,” students envisioned their life as the primary support of their household at the age of 25. Junior Rashaun Milline dreamed of living in a big house while driving a Cadillac Escalade before he got a dose of reality.
“It’s important to stay in school and spend your money wisely,” the single parent of two kids said while trying to reorganize his purchases when left with only $55.
Junior Carlos Ochoa played the part of a single computer programmer with no children who had a monthly salary of $1,904 after tax deductions.
“I have already purchased an apartment, groceries, a car and insurance,” he said with a mere $247 before he headed to the utilities and job station. “I’ve learned that there’s a price on everything and nothing in life is free. It’s important to continue your education because life’s tough, but you got to be strong.”
Agricultural Scientist Charmi Patel had a college education with a son and a non-working spouse who seemed to do well for herself.
“I have $906.87 left after I bought an apartment, car, health insurance, utilities, clothes, a savings account and a master’s degree. I also work at a pizza place for more money,” the 16-year-old said. “I learned that I’m going to have to work my butt off and I can’t get everything I want.”
Student Storm Rowland went from station to station and realized how fast money left her bank account in order to survive with life necessities.
“I’m a maid who’s a drop out. I make $1,234 after taxes, and I’m married to a non-working spouse. After I graduated from community college, I made $370,” she said. “By definitely being a drop out, you don’t make that much money.”
Fifty-one volunteers, ranging from chamber members and area businesses to community leaders, donated their time Thursday to help students spend their earnings at each station during the simulation. Longtime volunteers Sam Watson and Denise Massey ran the “That’s Life” booth to give students another dose of reality with unpredictable situations.
“Unexpected things happen in life, like car repairs, air conditioning repairs, have a broken television or have a $2,000 DUI ticket, and sometimes you might get a bonus at work or win the lottery,” Massey said. “It surprises me what we think our children understand when really they don’t have a clue.”
Dave Stiles has also worked the Reality Check stations every year, and he said students do not understand where money actually goes.
“A lot of them are dumbfounded to where the money goes,” Stiles said while advising a drop out to obtain higher education before buying groceries from him at the “Super-Mart” booth.
First time volunteer Joannah Hollis worked the “Helping Hands” booth for students who wanted to give back to their church and community.
“I had one student come over and she was a drop out and who was single with two kids. She only had $59 left and had a second job and not enough money to buy clothes or to go back to school. Her home life was very similar, and you could just see the shock in her face when she realized, ‘Oh my God. How is my mother doing this?’ That was a true reality check,” Hollis said. “It’s an excellent program. It’s an eye-opener for me, too, by just seeing how much these students need a reality check and need real life situations before they’re just thrown into the real world.”
This year’s program sponsors include Georgia Power, Open Range, RJI Inc., Oconee Center, Oconee Vendor and Pickle Barrel. The chamber is seeking local volunteers to help with Reality Check from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 1 at Georgia Military College Prep School and at 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8 at John Milledge Academy.
“I’m a bartender making $2,068 a month, and I’m married with two kids,” student Barry Simmons said as he realized he did not have enough funds for utilities. “Graduating high school is a priority, and it’s a necessity to go to college.”
