Whittier Tech Students Participate in 2024 Credit for Life
2024 Whittier Tech Credit for Life Fair. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
Whittier Tech students have participated in the 2024 Credit for Life, a fair where students are taught financial literacy skills.
At the fair held in the school gymnasium on Mar. 22, students were provided with a budget and randomized credit score, and were required to shuffle between various tables to purchase essential goods and services such as housing, insurance, and cell-phone plans.
In the middle of the gymnasium were credit counselors who tabulated students' credit score, and roving the floor was Haverhill Police Officer Baldera who issued citations to simulate unexpected surprises.
Whittier Tech Superintendent Maureen Lynch said that, "The Credit for Life fair is the best real-life simulator that we can offer to students. It's one thing to hear your parents talk about paying taxes and getting the car fixed, it's another to go through a semblance of that experience yourself."
Left to right, Anthony Giangregorio of Haverhill, Cole Lintner of Amesbury, Cali Moore of Haverhill, and Ashlyn Sullivan of Groveland. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
The fair was organized by Financial Literacy Instructor Ellen Moriarty Petroccia and Math Instructors Julie Penny and Travis Madden, and was emceed by Media Specialist Rich Porcelli.
Among the tables in the gymnasium were Reality Check Spots, where students could a spin a wheel, and depending on the outcome, receive either a windfall bonus or incur an unexpected payment.
An example of a windfall include receiving a "just because" card from Aunt Mabel totaling $200, and an example of an unexpected payment include owing taxes and having to repay $60 per month over six months.
Superintendent Lynch congratulated students on their active participation, and thanked staff for helping to organize the fair and the Haverhill Police Department for their involvement.
2024 Credit for Life. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)
Officer Baldera of Haverhill Police Department. (Photo Courtesy Whittier Tech)