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BANKING ON OUR YOUTH

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: November 23, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A recently opened student-run branch of Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union is giving Mitchell High School students a chance to develop workplace skills and to learn how to manage their finances.

The credit union's Mustang Branch, staffed by a team of teenagers, is open on the school's campus Tuesdays during three lunch periods, when students can take time away from their meals to open an account or make a deposit or withdrawal.

If 10 percent of the students open an account, the credit union will place an ATM on the campus. Mitchell has about 2,400 students.

Racking up a large number of accounts isn't the main goal, though, said Juli Lewis, youth marketing manager for the credit union.

"Financial education is really the top priority rather than the number of accounts opened," Lewis said last week during a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mustang Branch.

Students younger than 18, which is most of them, face a key restriction if they want to open an account. They need a parent's signature.

The credit union operates similar branches at 16 high schools, two middle schools and two elementary schools in five counties. Students aren't involved in the operation of the middle and elementary school branches.

Gulf High School in New Port Richey and Pasco High School in Dade City are the other Pasco County schools with branches. The branches at those two schools opened last year.

Mitchell High business teacher Aschell Glaves said she's excited about the opportunity the student-run branch provides and she encouraged students in her classes to apply for one of the staff positions at the branch.

She sees this as an opportunity for students to get a real-world education in managing their money.

Teacher Melanie Gorsira said parents might be concerned at the thought of an ATM on campus that could give their teenagers easy access to cash. Gorsira, though, figures the teen years are as good a time as any to teach students about financial issues.

Twenty-five students interviewed for the chance to work at the branch and 12 were chosen, along with two alternates. The students, who volunteer their time in exchange for the experience they gain, are assisted by a credit union employee.

The students' duties include accepting account applications, taking deposits, giving online banking demonstrations and explaining credit union products and services.

Shawna Mulherin, 17, is one of Glaves' students who acted on the teacher's advice to apply to work at the Mustang Branch. Mulherin not only won one of the spots, she was named branch manager.

"I guess they liked how I interviewed," said Mulherin, a senior who plans to attend the University of South Florida next year.

She brought a little employment history to that interview. Mulherin has worked as a cashier for Publix, where she learned to handle money and honed her customer-service skills.

Mulherin was among the first Mitchell High students to open an account there.

And, yes, even as branch manager, she needed a parent's signature.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218. .php?id=336358.

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