Working on the college banner project helped senior Emma Underwood find a college that was realistic financially.
Underwood made her banner for West Virginia University, but she has now decided to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
“Making the banner helped with my college decision because it made me look at pricing more seriously,” Underwood said. “I actually decided not to pick the school I made my banner on because of the cost and size.”
Students in the personal finance class created the banners as part of the “senior hallway” project. It is the first year that students are making banners, switching from digital to hands-on.
Each banner names a college of the student’s choice and lists various statistics, such as tuition, total enrollment, student-faculty ratio, and average GPA of admitted students. The banners are displayed on the first floor.
Personal finance teacher Natalie Grattan explained the benefits of having seniors participate in this project.
“The senior hallway creates a visual way for students to show what comes next after graduation. Seeing the numbers on paper gives students a reality check about what comes next,” Grattan said.
The goal of the project is to help students think more seriously about life after high school in a way that feels real and personal.
“Students and staff stop to look at the banners, and it’s been a really positive experience overall. It gives students a chance to represent their future plans – whether it’s college, work, or training,” Grattan said.
Personal finance teacher Richard Deemer has assisted seniors in making their posters and believes the most important skill they can take away is financial literacy.
“Using a student loan calculator helps them understand how much debt they might actually have. The budget project shows them what their lifestyle will look like based on a starting salary,” Deemer said. “It helps them decide if a career or college will actually support the lifestyle they want.”
Senior Daytona Hissong plans on going to trade school to study industrial electricity or manufacturing.
“The project definitely helped because it gave me an idea of what that trade school is like,” Hissong said. “The biggest takeaway was what scholarships and grants I could apply for.”
Senior Cayleigh Fitzurka made a banner for Penn State Behrend.
“The biggest thing I learned was how expensive everything is, especially college and living costs,” Fitzurka said. “Budgeting showed me how little money you actually have each month and how fast it goes.”
The project has a college pricing section and has a big impact on the college decision for many students, Deemer said.
“Sometimes students realize they might need to choose a cheaper option, or they could decide that starting at a community college is a better option,” Deemer said.
Grattan also notices the benefit of connection in Baldwin High School.
“Having a banner for every senior helps build a stronger connection between students and teachers,” Grattan said. “It’s not just for the seniors; it benefits the whole school because everyone can see those future plans.”
The banners project aims to prepare the senior class for life after graduation.
“This project helped me feel more prepared for college because I had to research real information about where I want to go,” Fitzurka said.
