Students receive economic reality check

OSHKOSH - If there's only one thing these Oshkosh High School students are learning, it's that life in the real world isn't always easy.

"It's definitely an eye opener for you," said senior Brittany Schneider.

"It hurts alright. The money's flying out of the pocketbook. It's like real life, it's hard," said senior John Dewitt.

About 160 finance and business students are being put through a reality check at Oshkosh West. They pick a career, get married, have kids, and then have to find a way to survive on their salaries.

"They have to make a payment to city hall for their taxes, make a housing decision, transportation decision and pay for child care," said personal finance teacher Melodi McGuire. "I had kids come up to me and go I am out of money. How can I get rid of the kids?"

Not only are they finding out all the necessities cost money but so do those unanticipated things.

"I'm sorry, I was just observing traffic and you drove through a stop sign back there," said Oshkosh West school liaison officer David Johnson to a student.

The student received a $20 citation.

"Things like this pop up, unexpected expenses, and they have to deal with it in a timely manner or it could get worse," said Officer Johnson.

"With the economy the way it is, they need a dose of reality," said McGuire.

Because one thing's for sure - they have to leave school sometime - even if they don't want to.

"No I don't. I'm scared to death," said junior Katina Hackett.

"I want to stay a kid forever. This stuff's tough. High school is easy compared to this," said Dewitt.

This is the second year the Oshkosh School District, with the help of Community First Credit Union, put on the program.