![Financial Literacy](../dobi_images/events/finlit2011/finlit111129a.jpg) |
Front row: l-r; Grover Cleveland Elementary Students Naheim Terrell, Elijah Ramos, Zaniya Small, Hammad Ahmad and Sayvion Suggs.
Back row: l-r; Grover Cleveland School Principal Al Giambrone, Grover Cleveland Elementary School Teacher Mrs. Cindi Zatorski, New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Assistant Division Director Nancy E. Graves, Rahway High School senior JA High School Hero Dion Dawkins and Rahway High School senior JA High School Hero Beatriz Freitas |
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![Financial Literacy](../dobi_images/events/finlit2011/finlit111129b.jpg)
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Front row: l-r; Grover Cleveland Elementary Students Brenden Streer, Lynn Vilfort, Alisha Smith, Tamica Eleanor, Yacuba White and Rahway High School Senior JA High School Hero Jessica Rengifo. Back row: l-r; Grover Cleveland Elementary School Teacher Chris Burke, Rahway High School Senior JA High School Hero Odelis Peralta, Grover Cleveland Elementary School Matthew Salley and New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Assistant Division Director Nancy E. Graves |
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RAHWAY – New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) Assistant Division Director Nancy E. Graves today presented a financial literacy program to 15 students from Rahway High School and recognized them for their volunteer work. The class covered how to establish and preserve good credit, set up a budget, open checking and savings accounts and guard against identity theft. The honorees are Junior Achievement (JA) High School Heroes who teach elementary students about money. In addition to providing financial literacy remarks, Graves presented certificates of recognition to the volunteers.
Grover Cleveland School Principal Al Giambrone introduced Graves to elementary school students and the heroes who received honorary certificates from DOBI. The JA Heroes recognized are; Hassan Abdulla, Jamel Presley, Jessica Rengifo, Odelis Peralta, Angela Alvarado, Raveena Ramsoondar, Hakeem Kornegay, Jerrel Wilson, Clarisa Reyes, Brandon Suggs, Alexis Stapleton, Beatriz Freitas, Dion Dawkins, Jose Martinez and Samantha Sierra.
“If you build a strong foundation of financial knowledge today,” Graves told the class, “You will reap significant dividends as you mature and progress in your careers, no matter what you choose to do. It is impossible to plan for everything. But learning how to save now means helping yourself prosper tomorrow…and tomorrow will arrive before you know it.”
The High School Heroes program pairs volunteers with elementary school classes. In recognizing the High School Heroes Graves said, “It is gratifying to see young people volunteering in our schools. It is a foundation for leadership and mentoring that deserves special recognition. We are very proud of these High School Heroes.”
Throughout the year, DOBI and its public and private sector partners invite school districts to participate in this ongoing financial education project. Since 2006, the state-wide Financial Literacy program has reached more than 30,000 students in more than 300 public high schools from all 21 counties. Program participants include Junior Achievement, New Jersey Department of Education, New Jersey Coalition for Financial Education, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, New Jersey Bankers Association, Mortgage Bankers Association of New Jersey, New Jersey League of Community Bankers, New Jersey Credit Union League and the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Also, a new financial literacy high school graduation requirement began in New Jersey last year with the 2010-2011 grade nine class. All students will take at least 2.5 credits in financial, economic, business and entrepreneurial literacy. By graduation, students will demonstrate an understanding about how the economy works and their own role in the economy and develop the necessary skills to effectively manage personal finances. |