By Houston
January 22, 2020

While other children were relaxing at their homes during Christmas break, my brothers and I participated in a Junior Achievement program called BizTown. Leading up to the event, there were three classes of preparation in which students learned how to balance a checkbook, write checks, and many other important skills. We were interviewed for the job of our choice. Fortunately, I was hired as CFO at Regions Bank, which was the position I wanted. There were also a myriad of different companies which sold unique products and services. 

On the day of BizTown, we drove to Charlotte, which is where the simulation was held. When I walked into the town I found my business and met up with my fellow co-workers. Since I was Chief Financial Officer, I was responsible for paying my employees, paying the bills, and managing the money. There were four periods of activity. 1. Get your business started. 2. Eat lunch. 3. Buy from other businesses. 4. Work. But of course some people had different periods to keep the city running smoothly. After all the periods were completed, that marked the end of the day. Some awards were announced and my brother’s company, Woodforest Bank, even got the best business award.

BizTown was a phenomenal experience. It was both fun and educational, teaching me how to spend and save my money wisely, how to become a valuable member of a community, and what it takes to run a business. I had an amazing day, and I look forward to learning more concepts of cash next year.

By Gabe Dillingham
January 22, 2020

While other people were taking winter break, we were busily preparing for BizTown, which is a place that prepares students for working at a business and helps them to be smart with money. My brothers, my homeschool friends, and I went to Kernersville for three days to prepare for BizTown in Charlotte. We had to fill out a workbook, which taught participants who to write checks, make deposits, and deal with money wisely.

In January, the big day had arrived. My two brothers worked at competing banks, and I was the CFO of City Hall. I had to bill people, pay my employees, and pay bills also. I had a lot to do. There were at least 12-20 different businesses, but in City Hall, the jobs were Mayor, CFO, clerk, notary, police, and mail carrier. There were different periods in which some people ate lunch, some worked, and some shopped, so the town could keep a productive flow. The mayor got to choose the two best employees and the best business, which turned out to be my brother Zeke’s bank, Woodforest!

The event was one of the best days of the “school year,” and I’m sure I want to do it next year. I learned many important lessons, both life lessons and money lessons. I’m glad I went to BizTown. Who knew financial literacy could be so fun?

By Zeke Dillingham
January 22, 2020

BizTown was held on January 13, and my brothers and I diligently prepared for it in December. This Junior Achievement project teaches children both how to correctly use money and to have fun while working. For three Mondays we tirelessly woke up, drove to Kernersville, had meetings, and discussed the values of economics. Patiently, we waited and were extremely excited for the big day.

Finally, we took the long, rainy trek to Charlotte, where I worked as a teller at Woodforest Bank. My co-workers were Aiden, who was CFO, Joel, who was CEO, and Abbey, who was marketing manager. As BizTown began, there was a massive line of people at the bank. When a citizen came up, I would ask them for their account number, update their bank account, and give them a coin for a drink at Chick fil-A. I then went to use the money I had worked hard to earn and spent it on a service called the Plane-Flying Simulator. After our long day of work, we went home.

The BizTown participants learned concepts such as work-readiness, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. We also democratically voted on who would become mayor, whose job was to make sure every business ran smoothly. At the event, Woodforest was even voted the best company! BizTown helped me learn the importance of hard work and money, and I look forward to going back next year.