Reality Store gives youth look at future

Monday, October 9, 2006

Married or single? Kids or no kids? Luxury car or affordable family car?

These were just some questions that were asked of eighth-graders from four county schools and Eminence Monday at the Reality Store in the Community Building.

According to Cheryl Danberry from Women's Voices United, the sponsor for the event, there would be a total of 580 students coming through the store. Their first stop will to be to see Uncle Sam and to receive their tax deductions. From there, students can figure our their martial status, insurance, medical, transportation, and career counseling.

The students have the opportunity to spin the Wheel of Chance. This wheel decides the students' fate as to whether or not they win the lottery, experience a job layoff, or experience a divorce.

The idea behind the store is to give students an idea of what reality is going to be like for them outside of school, especially their finances.

Danberry said that they have had some great feedback from the students over the 15 years the Reality Store has been in place. Some of the students tell her that they did not realize it was so hard.

This also forces students to take a hard look at their career choices, schooling and lifestyle, and possibly rethink them to better fit their Reality Store experience.

The Reality Store was created by Business and Professional Women of Indiana, but recently the group has dwindled down in numbers. The group reorganized and created the Women's Voices United to sponsor the event.

But the group needed more help, so they went to the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club, who all agreed to help.

This is the first time all three clubs have come together to sponsor an event.

The Reality Store will continue throughout Monday as it prepares the county's youths for the future.

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