Red Bud High school Seniors get a taste of the real world

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[On April 24, Red Bud High school seniors participated in a career and finance simulation called Welcome the Real World put on by University of Illinois Extension. Youth Development Educator, Michelle Bisel, lead the students through choosing a career and flash forwarded them into the shoes of a 25 year old. Each student received a paycheck and then made a series of real world decisions such as choosing a place to live, buying a car, paying expenses such as insurance, utilities, clothing, and groceries.

Many community partners joined the University of Illinois staff to work with the students. Tim Lowry, of Lowry Realty, "sold" the students on various housing options. "Many students eyes were opened, today", said Bisel, "to how many different expenses the average adult faces per month." Other key partners included Robin White, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer at North County Savings Bank, Tammy Salger, Asst. Vice President at First Bank Red Bud, Matt Wagner, Wealth Advisor at Howell Financial, Brandon Liefer, Sales Manager/Finance Manager at Weir in Red Bud, Cole Stenzel, Loan Officer at State Bank of Prairie Du Rocher in Red Bud, Cathi Cowan, U of I Program Coordinator and teachers from Red Bud High School.