MUSCATINE, Iowa — The newest students at Muscatine High School learned about more than their classes when they came to school Thursday.

They took a virtual journey into the world of personal finance.

The students were introduced to the “Welcome to the Real World,” curriculum that was presented through the cooperation of the Iowa and Illinois State University Extension Services.

Area business professionals volunteered their skills, staffing the agency and business booths where students came to apply for jobs, bank, buy  and seek financial counseling.

“I think it’s important for kids to understand the choices they make in education lead to choices they make in life and the opportunities they will have,” said volunteer Mike Eversmeyer, of the Muscatine Foods finance department.

“Most kids don’t have much experience with personal finance,” said Mike Hagerty an investment adviser with First National Bank Eagle One Investments. “This is a good first step.”

Local banks donated practice check books and students were given worksheets that helped them analyze their priorities.

Then, they were off on a virtual adventure.

After selecting a career, students were given a salary to work with and a price list for essentials and entertainment.

Their assignment was to have money left over at the end of the month.

This is one reason freshman Christopher Jones purchased a “clunker,” with a $254 a month car payment. Jones was earning $2,325 a month as a writer, and said a less expensive car would leave him some breathing room.

Amber Wilhelm earned  more than Jones with an architect’s monthly salary of $3,800.

And she spent more.

Her car cost $358 and she invested $804 in a vacation and movie rentals.

Max Weber earned $1,315 a month as a professional, regional baseball player, and had to look for a second, part-time job so he could buy clothes.

“I didn’t have to go to school for this career,” said Weber. “If you want a good job, you need to go to college.”

This was the first time “Welcome to the Real World,” has been part of MHS’s New Muskie Day, which takes place on the Muscatine Community School District’s first day of school.  Only MHS freshmen  and students who are new to MHS have class that day.

The event was established to help new students become more familiar with MHS and the staff.

Older MHS students can  come to school as volunteers. 

Senior Donovan Barber assisted students at the “chance” table, where students drew cards that instructed them to pay an unexpected expense or collect some extra cash.

“This school’s helped me a lot,” said Barber, who plans to attend Central College in Pella next year. “I wanted to give back a little.”

MHS Student Council members put together an amusing, fast-paced program that introduced the freshmen to   MHS policies, the use of MHS agendas and the counselor system.