Students learn about real life

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
PHIL CAMPBELL- Students couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw how much it cost to pay bills in the real world during Phil Campbell High School’s Reality Check workshop held Wednesday.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension Office came up with the ides to teach students what they may face whenever they get out on their own.
Freshmen and seniors were the only ones who took part in the program. Each student chose a career and saw if that career could support the lifestyle that they believed they were going to have when the get out on their own.
Several local businesses set up booths for students to show what kind of expenses they will face in the future such as groceries, car insurance, mortgages, taxes, child care and things of that nature.
Phil Campbell High School graduation coach Tina King said she believes the program was very successful.
Students drew cards at a special booth set up for unexpected expenses such as a child broke his/her arm, car accidents, or natural disasters.
Freshman Cody Fuller said he had the worst luck when it came for his turn to visit that booth.
Some students elected to have high paying jobs, which helped out tremendously.
Senior Selesa May knew she would have no trouble affording her lifestyle. “I chose to go to Alabama to become a mechanical engineer, according to the program they bring home $69, 360 a year,” she said.
Freshman Magan Chaney chose to be a police detective. “I didn’t have that much money left,” she said. “You have to buy the cheapest stuff, be reasonable and really think through stuff.”
Senior Bailey Welborn wants to be a physical therapist when he gets in the real world.
King said some students just couldn’t budget their money.
Regional extension agent with the Alabama extension system Lelia Wissert said the program encourages students to work hard for their future.
King said she would like to thank Northwest Shoals Community College, Hamilton Career Center, Franklin County Board of Education, Hammitte &Hunt Law Firm, Kidzworld Daycare, Retired Alabama Department of Public Health, Piggly Wiggly, First Baptist Church Phil Campbell, Calvary Baptist Church, Valley State Bank, Team Fitness, Franklin County Revenue Commission, Oliver Corner, Katernia Cole and Lelia Wissert of the Alabama Extension Office, Principal Cindy Davis, Counselor Wanda LeMay, Susan Norton, Greg Winstead and Sherry Davis for all of their help during the workshop.