OLD FORGE — When it comes to creating a budget, understanding a credit score and dealing with an unexpected expense, borough high school students are up for the challenge.
Juniors in Old Forge High School’s Personal Finance Lab joined the Budgeting Challenge at the beginning of the school year. Students across the state compete and earn points as they advance in the online game hosted by nonprofit Brighter Financial Futures. Participants decide where to live and choose monthly cellphone and television plans. They have 18 months to pay bills, earn a paycheck and make responsible decisions with their checking and savings accounts and credit cards. They also play mini-games and receive lessons on personal finance topics.
Students play the game twice in the fall and twice in the spring. During the early fall quarter, Old Forge was ranked second statewide, behind the York City School District. Around 72 students participated.
Students learn about the expenses they will have as adults. Kendall Krasulski said it was fun to decorate an apartment and buy clothes and furniture.
“It also is stuff that I needed to buy or else my quality of life would decrease,” she said.
Jadin Lawrence found the game easier than he expected.
“They gave you step-by-step instructions,” he said.
Madi DeMarco has learned the value of a credit score, something she said will help her when she gets her first credit cards.
Maniyah Massey found the unexpected payments to be the most interesting part of the game. Others found them to be the most challenging.
“I just feel like that’s interesting because that would happen in real life,” she said. “Anything can happen.”
Business education teacher Arianne DelSordo has run the challenge for three years. Students play it in between her regular lessons. The game meets many of the standards she is required to teach, she said. Some students play it outside of school, which DelSordo was surprised to learn.
“I didn’t think they would like it as much as they do, but they really do, and they do learn a lot from it,” she said.
DelSordo said she is proud of her students for participating in the game and learning life lessons along the way.
“It’s something that they need, something they’re going to take with them,” she said. “I just want them to take those skills with them.”