Prineville, Ore. – Crook County High School took a concrete step toward equipping its students with lifelong money‑management skills by unveiling a Personal Finance and Investing Club during a lunch‑time meeting. The initiative, funded through a partnership with Mid‑Oregon Credit Union and local television station KTVZ, aims to bring basic financial education to every interested student.
At the inaugural gathering, attendees enjoyed free pizza while counselor Shawn Swick outlined the club’s mission. “You know, pushing those kids that have a little bit of knowledge to gain more knowledge, but then also, kind of as a club, making sure that, you know, everyone who’s in this club has a base‑level understanding of how finance works, compound interest and debt and all those things,” Swick said.
The club will start by helping members who do not yet have a bank account open one, ensuring that every participant can practice real‑world financial habits. Throughout the school year, the group plans to host an investment competition in which students trade with $100,000 of simulated dollars in a virtual stock market. The team that achieves the highest return will receive a prize funded by KTVZ and Mid‑Oregon Credit Union, which together contributed $1,000 for the award and other club expenses.
Community and educational impact
By offering hands‑on experience with budgeting, saving, and investing, the club seeks to fill a gap often left by standard curricula. “Financial literacy is a cornerstone of responsible adulthood,” Swick added, noting that the club’s activities align with the school’s broader goal of preparing students for success beyond the classroom.
Local leaders praised the collaboration, highlighting how community partners can reinforce the values of personal responsibility and stewardship that families and faith‑based organizations have long championed. The partnership demonstrates a practical example of how private‑sector resources can support public‑education goals without political strings attached.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the club will grow in membership and eventually expand its programming to include guest speakers from the local business community, workshops on credit management, and real‑world case studies. The investment competition, slated for later in the academic year, will give students a taste of market dynamics while reinforcing the importance of disciplined, long‑term planning.
As the club gains momentum, Crook County High School aims to become a model for other schools in Central Oregon seeking to embed financial literacy into everyday student life.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
