Local students attend Reality Check in Tolna

High school students recently attended this area’s third annual Reality Check. This event gave sophomores, juniors and seniors at Dakota Prairie, Lakota, Midkota, Griggs County and New Rockford-Sheyenne the opportunity to see what life (financially) may be like as an adult in a reality-based event.

This event, sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank of ND, State Bank of Lakota and the Nelson County Job Development Authority was held at the Tolna Business and Events Center on Nov. 29, 2023.

Reality Check is an interactive financial decision-making event that illustrates basic personal financial management skills. During this valuable learning event, the students were given the opportunity to simulate the types of financial decisions they will be making as adults, but without the risk of facing real financial repercussions.

When asked “What is the best information about managing money that you learned today?” one student’s reply was, “Be careful with credit cards.” Another student added, “The more you pay per month for student loans lowers the interest.” When asked, “How has this event changed the way you will save or spend money in the future?” the reply from one student was, “I will be saving a LOT more.” Another student replied, “I will have to work harder.”

This event takes a village. We had over 60 volunteers from three counties helping with the event!

When asked what they enjoyed most about the event, some of the responses from the volunteers were:

• “I enjoyed visiting with the students. All of them were very polite, spoke well and made eye contact. Another positive part is working with and among wonderful people from all of our communities.”

• “Watching the kids get involved in budgeting.”

• “It’s so fun meeting the students and coaching them through scenarios.”

• “Interacting with the kids and seeing them understand how much everything costs.”

If your school is interested in participating in Reality Check during the 2024-2025 school year, or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact Lisa Haines at 701-262-4211.