By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

A group of local high school sophomores were jolted forward Friday into their 26-year-old lives to learn about what it really takes to financially support a family.

RealityU was sponsored by the United Way of Ellis County and included students from Ellis, Victoria and Thomas More Prep-Marian. However, Sherry Dryden, United Way executive director, said United Way would like to expand the program to Hays High School in the fall.

The students took a survey before arriving Friday at TMP for the RealityU simulation. Their career interests determined their occupation and salary. Their GPA and other factors also figured into credit scores.

The students were assigned children. Some couples carried dolls that cried throughout the simulation.

The students visited stations to learn more about the expenses they faced, some of which included groceries, transportation, health and car insurance, child care, utilities, and communication.

Students were allowed to choose what kind of vehicle or housing they wanted. In other cases, students rolled dice to learn their fate. For example, students rolled a dice to learn what percentage of their health insurance their employers were going to pay.

Students could also be assigned to the chance station. Students rolled dice to see if they would receive an addition to their income, such as a bonus at work or a tax refund, or if they would end up with an additional expense, such as a flat tire or a trip to the emergency room.

Many students were surprised about the cost of basic living expenses, including Victoria students Morgan Dorzweiler and Justin Braun.

The students had to budget $645 for child care for their one child. Dorzweiler was a real estate agent, and Braun was an auto mechanic.

The couple learned they would not be able to eat out as much as they might want to.

“You can’t always pick the highest and most expensive option when you are limited on money,” Braun said.

Clay Shaw and Evalyn Miller were assigned the professions of veterinarian and cosmetologist respectively.

“It costs a lot of money to live,” Miller said.

Shaw said he was surprised at how much the couple spent on clothes and food. The students spent $538 on clothing and $193 on food.

James Younger of Big Creek Crossing volunteered during the simulation. He said many of the students chose the most expensive clothing on his list.

“There were cheaper options on the sheet,” he told the students. “Don’t be afraid to speak up about that. It is our job in retail to go ahead and sell you the highest prices item to make the most money. Don’t be afraid to try to negotiate.”

Ellis students Abigail North, who was a certified athletic trainer, and Toby Woodworth, a construction laborer, were thrown a curveball when they learned they had to pay a $275 traffic ticket. Woodworth said he was also surprised by the cost of family health insurance.

Marcie Mayo, volunteer with Advanced Property Management, worked the chance table, and said many students were shocked about some of the unexpected expenses they could be hit with.

“It makes them aware of what’s going on,” she said of the students. “Like utilities … you have to pay for the lights to be on. They are seeing that. I do think it is beneficial.”

Linda Riedel and Marcie Pray of Platinum Group volunteered to help students learn about housing.

“They are trying to learn the values of life, and they are having to make decisions on whether to rent an apartment or purchase a home based off of their income,” Riedel said.

The students learned they had to pay extra for pets if they rented and they had to rent or buy a bigger space if they had children. Several couples pursued second jobs after they visited the housing table. The students also learned their pre-assigned credit rating had a significant effect on what they paid for housing.

Riedel said many students had not given much thought to the decisions they will have to make as adults.

“They are just trying to balance right now which way is the best way,” Riedel said. “It is creating an awareness where they are trying to figure out what their options are and what’s best for them.”

Ken Schoenrock, VHS teacher, said RealityU is helping the students get ready for life.

“At this point, they are still going through life thinking you work, you get a paycheck and then you get to go play,” he said. “This brings a little bit of light to what it is like when you get out of school and enter the real world.”

In the wrap-up session, one student said she was going to go home and thank her parents because she realized how much money they spent to raise her.