Lincoln Middle School students caught a glimpse of what life as an adult can be like Wednesday through the Reality Store program.
Sponsored by the Purdue Club of Cass County and Business and Professional Women, the Reality Store allows students to consider various costs associated with adult life.
“First they choose their career,” volunteer Jan McKaig said. “Then they go from booth to booth to purchase clothing, food, a house, a car.”
McKaig said the finances are planned on a cost-per-month basis and the program is planned as realistically as possible.
Nathan Hopper, an eighth-grader participating in Reality Store, chose to be a musician. Hoping to be a famous rock star, he was disappointed to find out he had not yet made it big.
“I’m in line getting a second job right now,” Hopper said. “I’m broke being a local musician.”
Hopper said he was unaware one of the largest costs he would experience was child care.
“I’m practically broke after one child,” he said.
The middle school student said the Reality Store made him aware of various bills associated with owning a home and a car and paying for bills such as health insurance.
“I learned life is too expensive,” Hopper said.
The program was designed to give students an awareness of life’s unexpected costs, according to volunteer Barrie McClain. By random draw, some students had twin children or were arrested for various offenses.
They were often drawn to the more luxurious homes and vehicles but soon found out the costs associated with the amenities.
“It’s just a taste of the kinds of things you have to buy,” McClain said. “It is good for them to think of them now, before they pick a career.”
McClain said the exercise was even more important for students to experience during the current economic distress.
“Jobs are hard to come by right now, and they may be even harder for these kids,” she said. “I think there will be changes in the way things will be paid for.”
Eighth-grade students at Pioneer and Caston have already taken part in Reality Store this year, and McClain said the program will travel to two other Cass County middle schools this spring.
• Jennifer Tangeman is a reporter for the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at 574-732-5148 or jennifer.tangeman@pharostribune.com.
Local News
Related Photos
-
I WANT THIS ONE: Colton Modrow, an eighth-grader at Lincoln Middle School chooses a home as part of a Reality Store program. Purdue Club of Cass County volunteer Tom Scheetz tells Modrow how much his home will cost. Students chose a career and then budgeted monthly bills based on the amenities they chose and unexpected costs they had no control over.
Discussion
Reality check
Cass County students learn life’s costs
- Local News
-
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
A Lewis Cass Junior-Senior High School freshman remained hospitalized Friday after being attacked by a classmate with a piece of wood, the school’s principal said.
-
Dancing with dad: 185 fathers and daughters take to dance floor
Robert Kesling remembers eight years ago when he swooped his daughter Anna off her feet and swayed on the dance floor with the young lady that makes his heart melt.
-
Woman suing Cass Area Transit
A woman is suing Cass Area Transit and one of its employees for “erratic” driving she says left her with a broken arm.
-
Delays in cases of clerk-treasurer, man accused of attempted murder
The defendants in two notable court cases had hearings Thursday, but issues in both required them to be pushed back two months.
-
Former police chief to run for coroner
Former Logansport Police Chief Randy Rozzi filed to run for Cass County coroner Thursday as a Democrat.
- Daddy/Daughter Valentine Dance
-
Victory worth celebrating: United Way raises more than $600,000 for area organizations
Joe Johnson stood at the front of the room where a “small army” of community leaders had just been recognized for their work in raising more than $600,000 for United Way of Cass County. “Woah,” said the incoming campaign chairman. “This is scary.”
-
Accused rapist charged with felony in Arizona
A Logansport man out on bail on multiple sex-related charges was arrested last week in Arizona after police say he tried to attack his dad with a pair of kitchen knives.
-
Jurors: Galveston man not guilty of molest
A jury took only an hour Wednesday to decide that a Galveston man was not guilty of molesting a 9-year-old girl a decade ago.
-
Sen. Head to run for re-election
State Sen. Randy Head announced Wednesday he will seek re-election.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Principal: Lewis Cass student attacked with piece of wood
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
