Mineral Springs students attend real-world financial concepts fair on the campus of Texas A&M University – Texarkana

On October 7, 13 Mineral Springs High School students traveled to Texas A&M University–Texarkana to participate in the Red River Credit Union Spark Reality Fair. The event provided students with a valuable opportunity to explore real-world financial concepts and gain practical experience in financial decision-making.

The trip was coordinated and chaperoned by high school counselor Amy Westfall and RootEd Career Coach Tametri White, who worked together to ensure students could take advantage of this enriching educational experience.

Designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experiences, the interactive fair gave students a glimpse into their financial futures. Participants were assigned a career and starting salary, then challenged to create a budget while managing everyday expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, and groceries. Along the way, they also had to navigate unexpected financial challenges, highlighting the importance of planning, flexibility, and responsible money management.

The experience provided students with valuable hands-on lessons in budgeting and financial decision-making, equipping them with practical skills they can use as they prepare for life after graduation.