District One students gain real world experience at Reality Town career fair

Rocky Mountain and Burlington middle school students attended a Reality Town career fair on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at the Burlington School.

Reality Town is a hands-on financial literacy program that gives students a snapshot of adult life. Using a simulated paycheck tied to a chosen career, students make real-world decisions about housing, transportation, groceries, insurance, childcare and other monthly expenses. The experience helps them understand how education, career choices and spending habits directly affect financial stability and quality of life.

School district career coordinator Sally Bernhisel explained that “the goal of the Reality Town fair was to expose middle school students to real life, a paycheck, living costs, taxes and all of that grown-up stuff they don’t think about in a way that makes them realize the importance of making wise financial decisions. It also shows them how the education they’re getting now connects directly to their future careers and earning potential.”

This year’s event was made possible by a strong base of community support. Thirty-three adult volunteers around the Big Horn Basin took their day to help run stations, answer questions and guide students through the simulation.

“There is no way we could provide experiences like this without parents and committed community members who are willing to give their time and energy,” Bernhisel said. “Simply stated, events of this size do not happen without our volunteers.”

Burlington parent Tricia Aagard, who ran a booth on property taxes, noted the choices students were making.

“Many of them chose to ‘live in their parents’ basement’ so they could afford more luxuries, not realizing the basement usually comes with a few stipulations,” she said. “My FBLA teammate Travis kept reminding them that, if they’re living in their parents’ basement, they don’t actually own anything.”

Rocky Mountain parent Annette Moss helped run a booth focused on groceries and real-world food costs.

“Reality Town really got the kids thinking about how much life costs,” Moss said. “In my booth they had to decide whether they wanted to live on ramen and mac and cheese or buy chicken or steak, and what that would cost them.”

She added that several students walked away with a new perspective, noting that many commented, “Adulting is hard.”

More than 30 high school students from Rocky Mountain’s FBLA chapter and Burlington’s FCCLA program also played a big role, helping with stations, snacks and follow-up games that kept the learning hands-on and engaging. Approximately 130 middle school students in grades 6–8 participated.

School District curriculum director Ryan Boettcher, who staffed a booth on the importance of housing choices, said the experience opened students’ eyes.

“I think they realized how fast their money disappeared,” he said. “Many had to rethink their housing decisions once they accounted for all their other expenses. After seeing how everything fit together, they were much more willing to get by with a smaller place.”

Bernhisel added that programs like Reality Town require both funding and community support.

“Activities like this cost money, more than most people realize,” he said. “They also require so many hours of volunteer time from our local community. I truly appreciate Big Horn County School District No. 1 and this community for prioritizing our students’ future and for providing the resources needed to make events like this possible. I wish I’d had opportunities like this when I was a student, and I’m excited to help bring them to our kids today.”