On April 10, North Middlesex Regional High School hosted its first-ever Credit for Life Fair, offering senior students a unique opportunity to engage with real-world financial decision-making. The event, held in the school gymnasium, was part of National Financial Literacy Month and supported by a $5,350 grant from FC:104. Organized by a group of proactive juniors and backed by school administrators, the fair allowed students to simulate personal budgeting scenarios with guidance from local businesses and professionals. Superintendent Brad Morgan and Principal Tim McMahon praised the initiative, noting plans to make the fair an annual tradition and expand financial education offerings in the future.

The idea for the fair originated when three junior students—Jackson Bailey, Jack Amari, and Josh Gallagher—attended a similar event at another school and saw its potential benefit for their peers. After presenting a proposal to the School Committee in December, they worked alongside faculty and district leaders to secure funding and coordinate logistics. Their efforts were part of a larger Civics Action Project that highlighted a gap in financial literacy among Massachusetts high school students. With support from STEM director Kevin Cormier, who authored the grant application, the team transformed their idea into reality.

During the fair, students were assigned hypothetical incomes and tasked with making realistic financial decisions across various categories such as housing, insurance, transportation, and savings. They visited booths run by local business representatives and explored choices related to mobile phone contracts, retirement planning, and career development. This hands-on approach provided a practical understanding of how income affects lifestyle choices and long-term financial stability. Participants engaged in discussions with both adults and fellow students, gaining insight into managing money responsibly after graduation.

The success of the inaugural event has inspired school leadership to plan for future editions, with hopes of expanding into a full-fledged financial education program. Already, there is strong student interest, with many signing up for related courses scheduled for the fall of 2024. Superintendent Morgan emphasized the importance of equipping students with essential financial skills, calling the fair a meaningful step toward preparing them for life beyond high school. He also expressed gratitude to the student organizers and acknowledged the role of grant funding in bringing the vision to life, highlighting the lasting impact of their initiative on the school community.