Middle Schoolers Get Real With Reality Store "Real Life" Event

Principal Brandon Prunty stands by as one of his students participates in the reality store.

Madison Doyle, story and photos:
Today in the Edmonson County Middle School library, EC Family Resource and Youth Service Center hosted their annual "reality store" for the 8th Grade Class. Morgan Esters from the FRYSC organized today's event, and she explained how it works.

"We do this every year for our 8th graders, to get a taste of the real world," she told us. "Each student is given a fake scenario where they are all 28 years old, they are given a job, a marital status, a certain number of children. They walk in with a certain amount of money where they go around to different booths, and they buy insurance, groceries, a car, etc. to provide for their families."

Edmonson Voice founder Darren Doyle and John Chidester from G3 Fitness talk to a student about buying internet.

Esters also wanted to thank the Edmonson County locals who came out to participate in the event. "I want to personally say 'thank you' to all the members of the community who showed up today. We could not have done it without them."

County attorney Greg Vincent speaks to students about buying a house.

Melinda Campbell speaks with a student about grocery shopping.

ECMS Principal Brandon Prunty also discussed today's event.

"The reality store is always a great learning experience for our 8th graders," he said. "They get some eye-opening information about life, and they can see how expensive life can be, depending on the scenario you are given. It's a great hands-on event to apply some of the knowledge they have learned in Mrs. Amberly's career and consumer economics classes."

Linda Starnes from Starnes Stables talks to students about finances.

Mr. Prunty also thanked the Family Resource Center and the community volunteers.

"I greatly appreciate our FRYSC for organizing the event and all the members of our community who came and volunteered their time to make this a success."