By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
LIMESTONE —The Aroostook Chapter of Credit Unions held its fourth annual Financial Fitness Money Management Experience March 22, at the Loring Job Corps Center in Limestone. This year’s event was the largest event ever held in Maine with 450 students participating.
Contributed photo
Steff Gagne, left, vice president of NorState Federal Credit Union, assists Caribou High School student Josh Kovach with his spending plan during the annual Financial Fitness Fair, held at the Loring Job Corps Center, coordinated by the Aroostook County credit unions. The recent event was the largest ever with 450 high school students from throughout Aroostook County participating.
The day, which can be compared to an interactive ‘game of life,’ builds awareness for youth education and for credit unions’ dedication to financial literacy in their communities. The Financial Fitness Money Management Experience is a half-day event during which students check in and receive a scenario packet of their life at age 22, which includes their occupations, income and credit history. From there, students map out their financial future from financing their housing to purchasing food and clothing.
Jon Paradise, governmental and public affairs manager for the Maine Credit Union League, said the experience is an effort to help students understand the importance of making smart financial decisions, in a difficult financial climate.
“With these students having heard a lot said on the troubled economy in the last couple years, this event actually gives them the opportunity to better prepare themselves by truly understanding the importance of being financially fit,” Paradise explained. “These students are preparing to enter the real world, be it through applying to college or joining the work force. It is critical that they gain a strong understanding of money and how to spend and save. The interactive nature of this event allows them to do just that,” he added.
Contributed photo
Ryan Ellsworth, (second from right), vice president of The County Federal Credit Union, helps students with their spending plans at the annual Financial Fitness Fair, coordinated by the Aroostook County Credit Unions. This year’s event, held at the Loring Job Corps Center, in Limestone drew the largest number of participants to date, with more than 450 high school students county-wide taking advantage of the financial planning insights.
Participating schools included: Ashland Community High School, Caribou High School, Central Aroostook High School, Easton High School, Fort Fairfield High School, Van Buren District Secondary School, Limestone Sr. High School, Washburn High School, Presque Isle High School, Madawaska High School, Fort Kent High School/St. John Valley Technology Center, Wisdom High School, Loring Job Corps, Greater Houlton Christian Academy, Houlton High School, Hodgdon High School and East Grand High School.
Representatives from Acadia FCU, NorState FCU, St. Agatha FCU, The County FCU and the Maine Credit Union League helped in organizing the event.
Formed in 1938, the Maine Credit Union League is the State Trade Association for Maine’s 64 credit unions providing a variety of services and products to assist credit unions in meeting the needs of their membership. Visit www.mainecul.org for more information.
