Celebrating Financial Literacy Month at Florence High School
U.S. Representative Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) visited Florence High School (FHS) on Tuesday to engage with students participating in the Securities Industry and Financial Market Association (SIFMA) Foundation’s Capitol Hill Challenge program. This 14-week initiative aims to empower middle and high school students with financial knowledge and civic awareness. Florence High is one of thousands of schools nationwide participating, providing students with valuable real-world financial experience.
Real-World Financial Skills Through the Capitol Hill Challenge
During his visit, Aderholt interacted with FHS student teams who are managing a hypothetical $100,000 investment portfolio, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and impact investments. The competition is structured around SIFMA’s curriculum-based Stock Market Game, which has been shown to enhance students’ performance in math and economics, as well as their personal financial behaviors. Aderholt praised the students’ efforts, noting the lasting impact these financial literacy lessons will have on their futures.
National Recognition and Mentorship in Financial Literacy
The visit coincides with National Financial Literacy Month, a time when Americans are encouraged to improve their financial management skills. Florence High School is currently ranked among the top 50 high schools in the nation, with one team achieving an impressive third-place ranking. SIFMA President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. emphasized the importance of education, mentorship, and community involvement in fostering financial literacy. The program, supported by the Charles Schwab Foundation, has reached nearly 170,000 students since its inception in 2004, pairing them with U.S. representatives and senators to enhance their learning experience.