Necedah Students Attend Reality Fair

Annual Event Forces Students To Confront Real-Life, Financial Situations

by Ashley Pochowski

Necedah's senior class attended a reality fair in Mauston.
-photo courtesy Clarissa Malecha-Freitag

On April 14, Necedah’s senior class took a trip to Mauston High School to participate in The Reality Fair. The Reality Fair is a simulation where students are given a monthly income according to their post-secondary plans and must purchase a vehicle with auto insurance, rent or own a home, provide child care, and donate to a charity among other responsibilities.

At some points during the simulation students might run into difficulties and have to rethink their choices to reprioritize needs vs. wants.

The Reality Fair relies solely on business donations and the efforts of 100+ volunteers every year. Students from Necedah, Mauston, New Lisbon, Juneau County Charter School, Royal, and Wonewoc also participate in the simulation.

Taylor Stout was one of the NHS students learning about
real world financial problems.
-photo courtesy Clarissa Malecha-Freitag

“Every year Necedah takes all Seniors to this experience and I think that it is really valuable to students and their success with personal finance,” Mrs. Malecha said.

"I expected it to be a lot harder, but I found out it was actually really easy. I was surprised with all of the expenses that are needed in adult life. I had a lot of fun," said Taylor Stout.

Not everything was such an easy ride. When talking to Loralee Arbanas she said, "When starting the simulation I was unaware of getting child care. So before I even got child care I focused on other necessities. Once I reached the child care table I did not have enough money to pay for it. With that, it caused me to get a second job."

Loralee also talked about how she lost more money at the Fate Table. "My first stop at the Fate Table I crashed into a possum. The second time I ripped my contact which costed me $80."

Deven Felber, James Polack, and Samuel Paulik also
completed the Reality Fair.
-photo courtesy Clarissa Malecha-Freitag

Trent Mueller had some difficult times during the simulation as well. "I had to pay child support, which I believe was very unrealistic. The child support was very expensive. After I paid it, I never had enough money to pay for other needed things."