Limestone FCU and Rudyard Area Schools Hosts Middle School Financial Reality Fair, with support from the MCUF
Limestone Financial Credit Union (Limestone FCU or LFCU) recently partnered with Rudyard Area Schools to host its first Middle School Financial Reality Fair of the year, with support from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation (MCUF). Approximately 86 students from Rudyard Area Schools participated in the interactive event, which was designed to teach budgeting, smart spending habits, and the importance of making informed financial decisions.
Middle School Financial Reality Fairs are tailored for students in grades 6–8. With continued support from MCUF, LFCU’s team was excited to bring this event to seventh- and eighth-grade students at Rudyard Area Schools, offering an early introduction to money management and real-world financial decision-making.
During the event, students engaged in real-life budgeting scenarios that taught them how to manage expenses, prioritize needs versus wants, and make informed financial decisions. The interactive, hands-on experience was designed for middle school students, making financial literacy accessible, engaging, and easy to understand.
“The 7th and 8th grade students were incredibly engaged throughout the Financial Reality Fair and really took the time to think through their choices. It was fun to watch them manage their budgets while making decisions about housing, transportation, and food. We even heard several students comment on how expensive having kids can be. Introducing financial reality fairs at the middle school level helps students start building decision-making and money management skills early, when they are curious, receptive, and beginning to understand real-world responsibilities. This program would not be possible without the strong support of the school and the dedication of our community volunteers.”
—Sabrina Oshelski, Business Development Officer at Limestone FCU
“The Financial Reality Fair is such a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain real-world knowledge and life skills. The students are able to extend the conversations and activities they take part in back to the classroom and home, where they can talk to their families about them. The more opportunities we have to talk about financial literacy with our students, the better, to which they can build their own skills to become healthy money managers as they move to adulthood.”
—Principal Folkersma at Rudyard Area Schools
“I liked how there were different jobs and families for students, and how the fair put us into real-life situations. I also liked that the money was pretty accurate.”
—Student at Rudyard Area Schools
Limestone FCU would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the volunteers who dedicated their time and support to make this event possible. Volunteers participated from Limestone FCU, Chippewa Luce Mackinac Community Action Agency, 4Front Credit Union, Lake Superior State University, Junior Achievement, Rudyard High School, and U.P. Michigan Works!. Volunteers included Sheena Adams, Jennifer Benedetto, Leah Cook, Jakob Davie, Sandra Hall, Jodi Hakes, Kiarra Herson, Erica LeBar, Caillie Lowthian, Mary K. McGinn, Nikki Dowd McKechnie, Sabrina Oshelski, Lynn Pulfrey, Sophie Shepard, Marcy Thorne, Emma Zabik, and five Rudyard High School National Honor Society students. Their time and efforts were invaluable to the success of the event, and Limestone FCU is deeply grateful for their contributions.
Limestone FCU remains committed to promoting financial education within the communities it serves. By equipping youth and young adults with financial knowledge and practical experience, the credit union continues to empower students to build strong financial foundations for their futures.
For more information on Limestone FCU, visit limestonefcu.com or text our team at 906-341-5866.
