More than 70 Toll Gate students, participated the 11th Annual CU 4 Reality™ Financial Education Fair that took place on Friday, May 20, at the school.

At this event, elected officials and community leaders that included Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, General Treasurer Seth Magaziner; Mayor Frank Picozzi; Pastor Chris Abhulime, Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Daniel McKee; Superintendent of Schools Lynn Dambruch, were in attendance.

 Mayor Picozzi who presented a proclamation to David Dupéré, President and CEO of Wave Federal Credit Union, and Toll Gate High School proclaiming the day as Toll Gate High School Financial Literacy Day in the City of Warwick.

“My generation had it easy,” Picozzi said pointing out that he didn’t face multi forms of  media and competing advertising as a student. He pointed out the importance of learning how to manage personal finances and commended the school for providing students with this type of instruction.

The CU4 Reality™ Financial Education Program was developed to complement the high school's personal financial education initiative for students. During the school year, monthly presentations were presented by credit union representatives on topics to help the students increase their understanding of the importance of managing their personal finances to be prepared for the financial challenges and lifestyle decisions they will face as adults.

Sponsored by Wave Federal Credit Union, the CU 4 Reality™ Financial Education Fair is the culminating event that places students through a realistic budgeting experience allowing them to make a series of spending decisions like the types made by a young adult. The Fair provided the students the opportunity to put into practice what they learned in the classroom by interacting with local businesses as consumers based on their chosen career and corresponding monthly income. The students met with representatives from Wave Federal Credit Union and various businesses and industries to include: College Planning Center of RI, Community College of RI, Cruise Planners, Empire Beauty School, Integrated Financial Partners, Liberty Mutual, Premier Home Realty LLC, Stop and Shop and Tasca Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM Fiat, and others to help them gain a better appreciation of the importance of budgeting, financial planning and making wise purchasing decisions.

David Dupéré, President, and CEO of Wave Federal Credit Union said that the credit union is proud to sponsor this rewarding educational opportunity in partnership with Toll Gate High School. He also recognized the 2022 Toll Gate High School senior, Sydney Randall, who received this year’s Donald R. Staley Memorial Scholarship. Donald Staley was a math educator and administrator with the Warwick School system for over 40 years. In addition, he served as a credit union Board Chairman for Warwick

Municipal Employees/Anchor Federal Credit Union and as a Director for Wave Federal Credit Union encompassing over 20 years of service. The credit union awards this scholarship annually in his honor through this financial literacy program for any graduating student pursuing a business or mathematics degree at any accredited college or university.