The INFBPW Reality Store was conducted Monday at the Montgomery County Boys and Girls Club. Eighth grade students from SouthmÅÇont, North Montgomery and Crawfordsville Schools were exposed to a reality lesson of life. They say it takes a villiage to raise a child. About 200 volunteers from the community involved with industries such as banking, medical, legal, government, insurance and others provided a “real life” scenario to the students.
The Crawfordsville Business and Professional Women annually focus on the “Reality Store” for several months leading up to the event. Kym Bushong, President of the Crawfordsville BPW, chaired the event with help from Michele Enlow, Vice-President and many other club volunteers.
When the students arrive, they are divided into three groups, Banking, Taxes, and Voting. County Clerk Leah Denbo made arrangements to bring 2 voting machines to the event and with the help of Mary Lou Dawald of the Leage of Women Voters provided education on how the voting system works. Also providing a “reality check” was Hillsboro Deputy Town Marshall Lee Boyer who issued citations for loitering, speeding and others.
The hope is that this little taste of of life will generate questions and help them to better understand what their parents and families provide for them on a daily basis.
After the students completed their stations they completed an evaluation which will serve as a means of improving future events. The approximately 475 students were provided a snack furnished by Jim Amidon of Wabash College.
