Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Zayla Sampson leans to balance her budget Wednesday at the West Virginia Central Credit Union’s Mad City Money event. Students got a crash course in budgeting, were given jobs, marital/kid status, and were challenged with living in the real world by purchasing needs and wants within their budget. Volunteers were West Virginia Central Credit Union staff, members of the PTA, and Wood County Board Of Education members. (Photo Provided)

PARKERSBURG — Seventh-grade students at Jackson Middle School got a crash course in budgeting Wednesday during the West Virginia Central Credit Union’s Mad Money event held at the school.

“It’s always great to work with Jackson Middle School with their fun and creative way of introducing students to the importance of financial literacy,” said Eric Murphy, technology integration specialist for Wood County Schools. “The students learn the rewards and pitfalls of how they choose to spend their money in a setting that mimics the real world.”

Students got a crash course in budgeting, were given jobs, marital and kid status, and were challenged with living in the real world by purchasing needs and wants within their budget.

“I really liked it. It taught me about budgeting and how to save and what my parents really go through,” seventh-grader Mason Lotton said.

Seventh-grader Athan Stavrakis said it helped them understand what parents go through.

Jackson Middle School seventh-graders Collins Rader, Payson Hart and Chaney Brown learn to manage expenses Wednesday at the West Virginia Central Credit Union’s Mad Money event. (Photo Provided)

“It helped me learn how hard it is to budget and how hard it is to manage and raise a family,” Stavrakis said.

Volunteers included West Virginia Central Credit Union staff, members of the PTA, and Wood County Board Of Education members.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com.