URW
Community Federal Credit Union opened its first
student-run bank branch at George Washington High
School on Thursday.
It is a fully functioning branch, according to
Stephanie Anderson, URW’s marketing director, but
will have some restrictions because the credit union
does not want students to have to carry too much
cash. It is open to GW students, teachers and staff.
“We’re here to teach people how to save,”
Anderson said. “It will teach students life skills
they don’t necessarily learn or pick up otherwise.”
Two student-employees spent time during the
summer training at URW to run the branch at GW.
Jerrica Womack, a senior who took the training,
said she was happy to be working at the branch.
“I learned a lot from training all month in
August,” Womack said Thursday. “We opened Oct. 1 and
are celebrating a grand opening today.”
At the grand opening ceremony, GW’s principal,
Christopher Carter, said he was excited about the
opening of the bank branch.
“The thing I like most about this endeavor is the
opportunity for students to have on-the-job
training,” Carter said. “Any time we can get
students working, getting them used to the work
force, that’s always a plus.”
Gregg Mason, coordinator of career and technical
education for Danville Public Schools, also praised
the
program.
“The banking of today is not the banking of our
grandparents,” he said. “Historically, schools have
created few opportunities for comprehensive
financial programs. An individual with a functional
understanding of finance and banking can utilize
resources to increase their wealth and obtain a
solid economic base to pursue educational and
personal goals, to avoid scams and economic pitfalls
and develop a sense of self-esteem.”
Danville Public Schools Superintendent Sue Davis
said, “This is a life skill. That’s what it’s all
about, getting students ready for the rest of their
lives.”
Davis said URW came to the school and offered to
set up the program, which is used in high schools
nationwide to teach students to handle money
responsibly.
