Local High School Students Discover Secrets To Financial Success

Coventry, Newport and West Warwick, RI (May 11, 2017) – Financial Education Fairs sponsored by BankNewport were held on March 23 and April 12 for the students of Coventry High School, West Warwick High School and Rogers High School in Newport. The Fairs were the culminating events to a series of financial education presentations conducted by BankNewport’s management team during the 2016-2017 academic year at the three high schools schools.

The Financial Education Fair is a highly interactive simulation, placing students through a realistic budgeting experience where they interact with local businesses to make a series of lifestyle spending decisions. Students put into practice what they learned in the classroom during the school year based on their chosen careers and corresponding monthly income and living expenses.

Over 100 students from Coventry and West Warwick High Schools participated in a combined Fair on March 23 at the Radisson Hotel Providence Airport in Warwick, with an equal number of students participating in the Rogers High School Fair held on April 12 in the school’s gymnasium.

BankNewport President and CEO, Sandra Pattie welcomed dignitaries from state and local government to the respective Fairs to celebrate the students’ success, including: Rhode Island General Treasurer, Honorable Seth Magaziner; Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor, Honorable Daniel McKee; Rhode Island Secretary of State, Honorable Nellie Gorbea; Rhode Island House Representative, Marvin Abney; Rhode Island Senator, Leonidas Raptakis District 33; Mayor of Newport, Harry Winthrop; Coventry Superintendent of Schools, Craig Levis; West Warwick Superintendent of Schools, Karen Tarasevich; Newport Superintendent of Schools, Colleen Burns Jermain; Coventry School Committee member, Ann Dickson; and Newport School Committee members, Dr. Sandra Flowers, Jo Eva Gaines, Raymond Gomes, and Kathleen Silvia.

Local businesses that participated in the respective Fairs included BankNewport, Community College of Rhode Island Knight Campus and Newport County Campus, Donovan Travel, Elmwood Dodge Jeep Chrysler Plymouth, Empire Beauty School, Gustave White Sotheby’s International Realty, Hyundai of Newport, Newport County YMCA, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Premier Home Realty, Salve Regina University, and Stop and Shop.

It was BankNewport’s first year partnership with Coventry and West Warwick High Schools and fifth year partnership with Rogers High School to present the financial literacy program.

Monthly classroom presentations were conducted by BankNewport's management team at the three high schools during the school year on the topics of careers, savings and checking accounts, debit cards, electronic banking, financial planning, credit and budgeting. Bank representatives shared essential information to help the students increase their understanding of managing their personal finances and the importance of building a secure financial future.

About BankNewport
Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. In addition, OceanPoint Insurance Agency, Inc., a subsidiary of BankNewport, offers a broad range of property casualty insurance products and a full array of financial services. With 16 banking offices and $1.4 billion in assets, BankNewport is one of the oldest community banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees and communities.