CHEROKEE – On Tuesday, February 13, 2024, Southeast students experienced Reality U® in the high school gymnasium. Southeast 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders engaged in this real-life simulation to gain insight on the importance of school and financial choices. 

Reality U® brings a bit of “reality” to students through a 75-minute interactive and engaging personal finance simulation. Students imagine their life as 26-year-olds and complete an online lifestyle survey. This information is entered into trademarked software, along with their current GPA, to create a unique and individualized future scenario.

Each scenario includes the student’s monthly income, credit card debt, student loan information, as well as marital and family status. Students are given a checkbook register to track their monthly purchases from the 12 booths representing services and/or products that adults typically must purchase or consider each month. Sometimes they must return a “purchase” and make a different decision. The checkbook register can’t fall below zero!

This event actively engages students to help them understand the importance of how their performance in school today impacts their future. It also provides the community an opportunity to share in local students’ learning and develop an understanding of the world of work.

Students, staff, and community members worked together to make this event a reality. We hope to give students a continuing opportunity to experience the simulation in years to come. – Kaci Tredway, Southeast High School Counselor

USD #247 would like to give a special thank you to the following community members and Southeast graduates for their effort, time, and assistance in making this opportunity a success: