Ashlee Hurt is a senior at Happy Valley High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee. She and about 60 other students from Carter County received a lesson in finance on Friday.
"Money goes really quickly when you are trying to buy all the necessary utilities," Hurt said.
A program called "Own My Own" was held at the historic Carter County Courthouse. Students practiced with a family scenario. For example, a 25 year-old human resources specialist, married with three children. With help from Carter County employees, students had to figure out how to pay taxes, get a house or even pay for child care. It was a wake up call for many of teens who are about to step into the real world.
"It's a lot of money, it's a lot of extra things that I didn't realize that they had to do and pay for," said Dustin Roberson, Hampton High School student.
The University of Tennessee Extension Office started the "On My Own" program 9 years. Carter County Mayor Johnny Holder said Friday’s event imitated real life.
"One young man came to me and he said, I'm going to have to get another job, I don't have enough money to survive, which is true in a lot of cases today," Holder said.
Once it was over, Hurt and many of her classmates said they now have a true appreciation for the tough decisions their parents have to make on a daily basis.
"I learned not to ask my parents for a whole lot anymore," said Hurt.
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