TruMark Financial Credit Union recently announced the conclusion of its Financial Reality Fairs held during the 2022-2023 school year.

The fairs are designed to help the financial education and preparedness of over a thousand local students, including Cheltenham High School. In total, 900 Cheltenham High School students attended the fairs and 38 students served as volunteers.

The Reality Fair immerses students in a “real- world” environment where they must make informed spending decisions within a set budget across essential categories such as housing, transportation, food, clothing, and insurance. Financial counselors offered expert advice to help students fine-tune their budgets and live within their set salary constraints.

“I am proud to witness the transformative power of our Financial Reality Fairs,” said Kelly Botti, CEO of TruMark Financial. “It’s more than just an event; it gives students the hands-on experience of managing a budget and making major financial decisions. We believe in equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills to navigate the real world with confidence. At TruMark Financial, we are committed to paving the way for brighter financial futures.”

In May, senior Katie Barnes won a $5,000 scholarship playing TruMark’s “Financial Jeopardy,” which tested students’ personal finance knowledge in categories such as banking, credit, taxes, budgeting, and investments.

For our previous coverage on Katie, you can click here.

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