Downey students win financial contest

DOWNEY - Students in the Regional Occupational Program's Banking and Finance Occupations class at Downey High School won first place in a state competition organized by the California Council on Economic Education.The students were mentored and assisted by Kari Johnson, the community education and development representative at Downey Federal Credit Union. Each of the seven winning students won $500 along with their class instructor, Coty Alvarez. The ROP Banking and Finance Occupations class gives the students hands-on training in customer service, budget preparation, check balancing, data input, filing and teller shadowing. The class is designed to teach students personal and financial responsibility. The state competition, titled MoneyWise Teen, "teaches students about economic and financial realities, and how to apply them to basic financial decisions," according to a news release. The state final competition was held at the Junior Achievement Center in Burbank. "We are so pleased with the results of this competition and ability to work with Downey High School on financial education projects," said Barbara Lamberth, president and CEO of Downey Federal Credit Union. "Our strong partnership with career technical education programs empowers students to have a brighter financial future." In addition to winning the competition, the Downey class was awarded the Model Program and Practice Award from the Los Angeles County Office of Education. "I am very proud of my students for this accomplishment. They worked hard and were rewarded for their efforts," said Alvarez, the class instructor. "We appreciate DFCU's help from Kari Johnson on coaching the students to win first place."

********** Published: June 17, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 9