Daphne Middle School Family and Consumer Science teacher Kay Taylor won a SEEDS grant this year to introduce her students to the real world through a budgeting and financial management workshop.

Called "Welcome to the Real World," this real-life simulation asks Ms Taylor's seventh and eighth grade students to choose a career based on their interests and aptitudes.  Students are then given a salary commensurate with their chosen career.  Using their salary, students must make budgeting decisions to pay their taxes, housing, utility, transportation, and insurance costs as well as provide for groceries, clothing, entertainment, and the unexpected financial realities of life.  One of the goals is to have students have funds left to put in savings.  Elizabeth Phillips of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System trains the students how to proceed.

Community business leaders who helped students make budgeting decisions included:  Donna Gilman and Marina Simpson of United Bank; Debbie Ierubino and Chris Scales of Publix Super Markets; Prudential-Nichols realtors Claudene Nichols, Wendy Menck, Jan McNair, Kathy Stastka, Laura Willis, Jerrie Mills, Elizabeth Kaye, and Melissa Hoffman.

Other business leaders were:  Courtney Tolbert - Daphne Utilities; Kimberly Helms - Malone Farmers Insurance Agency; Sherri Davis - Jim Golemon/State Farm Insurance Agency; Cathy Murphy - Minto Energy Corporation; Holly Boyett - RELS Title Company; Lisa Henry - Sam's Club; and Wal Mart.

Parent leaders included:  Judy Sullivan, DMS PTSA newsletter editor; Dorothy Smith; Marta Coffman, Irma Rivera, and Ann Blauer.

The next "Welcome to the Real World" experience is scheduled for Tuesday, March 9^th from 8:00 - 3:00 in the Daphne Middle School library.  Persons who are interested in participating should contact Kay Taylor at DMS - 626-2845 as soon as possible.

Submitted by Stephanie Ellis