On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, Southeast students experienced Reality U® hosted by Erie High School. Southeast 8th, and 10th 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.

“It was a great opportunity!  You learn what your spending habits are.” – sophomore Molly Alartosky

“It taught me how to not spend money recklessly.” – sophomore Brodie Lorenzo

“I don’t want to grow up because it is too expensive!” – Krewson Rakestraw

“Life is expensive. I need to learn how to budget.” -Judas Slifka

All students were also given the opportunity to attend the college and career fair hosted by Independence Community College Rural Outreach. Colleges, Universities, businesses, and community members were available for students to get more information on post-secondary opportunities. It is vital to provide these opportunities to students as early as we can so that they can get prepared for their future. 

I am so grateful that we are able to provide this experience for our students for multiple years. They attend as 8th graders, then they do it again as 10th graders. It’s exciting to see what they learn and realize as they get older. This event, alongside our Financial Literacy course taught by Mrs. Paris Vratil and Mrs. Cherie Witt, truly help our students gain essential life skills preparation. – Kaci Tredway, Southeast High School Counselor

USD #247 would like to give a special thank you to Erie High School Counselor, Chelcey Sexton; Erie High School, Independence Community College Rural Outreach Program, and all of the stakeholders for providing this opportunity for our students.