Royal’s signature financial education program for high school students, Test Drive…Next Stop Reality®, made its debut appearance at Hudson High School on January 13. Thanks to the support of Hudson High School business teachers and administration, along with nearly 90 volunteers, we were able to make a difference in the lives of 215 personal finance students. Business teacher Carrie Hentz was actively involved in bringing this experience to Hudson students. “It’s taking what we do in the classroom…and actually putting it into a hands-on interactive scenario, which is very powerful,” Hentz said.
Test Drive…Next Stop Reality® is a real-life simulation that lets students test drive their future to see what it takes to make it on their own as a 25-year-old. To prepare for the event, students choose their education level, research careers, and calculate their net monthly salary. During the event they visit 22 different stations in categories such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, childcare, insurance, and food. Each station has volunteers that teach students about the topic and guide them through the different options based on their lifestyle and budget. The goal is to get through the month without running out of money. Through their participation, students gain a better understanding of what it takes to make it on their own and prepare for their future.
For more information about our Test Drive programs, visit Test Drive® Reality Fair or email TestDrive@rcu.org.
