Valley Star

Issue date: 3/21/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Paul Olden 17 year old Van Nuys High School student, Martha Vasquez, looks over informational catalogs and pamphlets on Valley College. Vasquez was attending the "Money and Me" financial conference on Friday, April 13, 2007.

Know Your Money--Participants in the "Money and Me" financial conference at Valley College were given Financial IQ tests. The prize for a perfect score was a custom piggy bank. The forum took place Friday, April 13, 2007.

When most people think back to their high school days and how much they were taught about the handling of money; saving, budgeting and investing-the important stuff-its not surprising to draw blank stares and hear little talk of their bottom lines.

That's one of the reasons why Junior Achievement in partnership with Valley College and other institutions, staged a financial forum on campus Friday.

It was a lucky day for about 200 11th and 12th graders from three San Fernando valley high schools who wanted get the jump on their financial future.

The forum was called, "Money and Me," a financial literacy expo for students from North Hollywood, Van Nuys and Ulysses S. Grant high schools.

The students learned about saving, how to stick to a budget, investing their money and how to handle credit.

Representatives from several banks and credit unions guided the students through breakout sessions in those important areas.

"Kids need to know how to manage their money," said Pat Villanueva from Saehan Bank.

Junior Achievement spokesperson Gabriella Neumann said the "Money and Me' conference will help combat what she calls an epidemic of financial illiteracy among young people.

"We're trying to prepare them with much needed and relavant information that's often overlooked," said Neumann.

James Hernandez, an 18-year-old senior at Grant said the time he spent at Valley was worth it.

"It gives me a heads-up and an advantage on other people going into college," said Hernandez.

The students-many of whom came dressed in their best business attire-were treated to a lunch of pizza, sandwiches and soft drinks.

And those who took part in a raffle had the chance to win mp3 players among other prizes.

The day began with welcoming speeches from Valley president Tyree Wieder and Junior Achievement President and CEO, David Chernow. The keynote address was delivered by John Grace, President of Investors Advantage Corporation.

This financial conference was targeted toward high school students and is among the first of its kind to be held in the San Fernando valley.

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