While many teens spend their time gaming or streaming, some Celebration students realize their time is money. They are attending the Life Launch educational series focused on personal financial literacy.
The Celebration Foundation presented Life Launch as an initiative to combine leadership skills with financial education to empower teens as they plan for their future. The program was created in partnership with Celebration High School to offer its students a way to make good independent financial choices as they enter their adulthood.
“The Foundation had met with me about a year ago and we talked about what were some needs of the students,” said CHS Principal Christopher Todd. “Financial Literacy was a topic that I felt our students could really use after high school.”
A community organization, the Celebration Foundation was created to promote social welfare, civic betterment, and the common good in the local population. A particular focus has been serving area youth.
The Foundation chose the Moneywise America program by Charles Schwab for the basis for Life Launch. As a national financial services firm, Charles Schwab has a reputation for community service.
“These efforts will help each student involved make more informed decisions now and in the future, helping to ensure their success and the success of our community and beyond,” said Dr. Hazel Johnson, President of the Celebration Foundation.
At the first meeting of Life Launch on Aug. 19 at Celebration High School, renowned keynote guest speaker Julie Carrier addressed 400 students. The best-selling author and youth success coach presented “Success is a Choice,” which promotes confidence and character in leadership.
Later in the day, students participated in an interactive Charles Schwab Reality Store session. Using an income-based budget, students had to account for real life costs from mortgage and health insurance to cell phone service and groceries. Students explored the difference between “wants” and “needs” on their way to setting financial goals.
Alana O’Neal, a CHS senior who is working toward a career in cyber security, attends Life Launch. She said, “That was very impactful because I had never budgeted before and just seeing how quickly it added up from what you need like your electricity and your housing.”
“I definitely realized that I have a lot more wants than needs,” said Celebration junior Addison Phillips. “I’m definitely realizing that I should probably think more about that, set more goals.”
“For me, the goal is always to give our students any advantage possible,” said Todd. “The difference with this program is this is a lifelong skill that will always be used.”
Students in Life Launch will meet monthly during the school year for a different Moneywise America activities, presented in fun ways like group involvement, exploratory videos, and interactive games. Topics include reading paychecks, retirement savings, using credit, investing, and saving for college. Participating students can earn a certificate and community service hours, along with a confident foothold on their financial future.
CHS junior Gabriel Santos has college plans and is exploring a future in dentistry. He said, “I think that was pretty cool to have kind of a vision of how to actually manage your money and how in real life experience we could use it.”
Todd said he’s encouraged by the program.
“If we can put our students in a better financial situation from day one, it is going help them lead a better, more successful life,” he said.
