HARPERSVILLE – The Shelby County Chamber held its Keeping It Real program at Coosa Valley Academy for the first time on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Keeping It Real was launched in 2013 as a way to introduce high school students to real-world financial realities.

CVA seniors Zane Jantz, Trent Spratlin, Cole Hapach and Carson Brown, and juniors Kaitlyn Green and Kaley Archer, were among the students who drew randomly for careers and family situations.

For example, Archer drew a career as a dental assistant, with an appropriate salary, with a spouse and one child.

From there, students visited booths where they had to make decisions about vehicles, clothes, insurance and more. Each expense was subtracted from their income on a budget sheet.

“I had to get the cheapest car and the cheapest clothes,” Green said.

CVA Headmaster Pam Lovelady said she was glad the program was held at the school because it gives students an appreciation for their parents, and for how education can benefit them.

“It’s just a foundation for the future and preparing them to look at their future finances,” Lovelady said.